Micropathological patient replica based on unadulterated whole blood

A process for culturing pathogens or cells in an environment duplicative of individual patient factors comprising the steps of:

• providing a sterile culture dish containing a layer of culture medium, the layer having an exposed surface contacting the atmosphere within the culture dish, a discontinuity, and a means for injecting blood into the discontinuity;
• injecting an aliquot of fresh unadulterated patient blood into the discontinuity so that a layer of blood is formed leaving said exposed surface blood-free;
• and
• incubating the dish under conditions favorable to pathogen culture.

A kit for culturing pathogens while minimizing exposure to medical personnel comprising:

• a blood drawing set comprising:
• a plurality of hollow needles attached to interconnected tubing;
• valving means for controlling blood flow through the tubing;
• a syringe for pulling or pushing blood through the tubing;
• and
• a culturing device comprising:
• a sterile container;
• a layer of culture medium in the sterile container having a surface in contact with the atmosphere within the container;
• a discontinuity not in contact with the atmosphere within the container;
• and
• means for injecting an aliquot of patient's blood from the blood drawing set into the discontinuity, thereby forming a layer of patient blood wherein the blood from does not contact the atmosphere;
• and
• means for disposing a patient specimen or inoculum on the surface of the layer in contact with the atmosphere.