Gram – Joint fluid: gram negative bacilli/coccobacilli (Acinetobacter baumannii) and neutrophils – Shipped August 2012
HISTORY
The challenge was sent to category A, B, C, and C1 laboratories. The sample was a simulated joint fluid obtained from a Canadian serviceman back from combat.
Laboratories were expected to report the presence of neutrophils and gram negative bacilli.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from GS122-2
- Laboratories are reminded that the use of the term “diplococci” is generally reserved for organisms with a cellular morphology resembling Neisseria or Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- If the paired cocci are neither gram negative, kidney bean shaped or gram positive, lancet shaped, then it would be preferred to simply describe the organisms as being “in pairs.”
CMPT is a program of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Canada.