M151-4

Intra-abdominal abscess: Candida glabrata  – Shipped May 2015

HISTORY

A simulated intra-abdominal abscess collected from 56 year old male post-op intra-abdominal ICU patient, with sepsis was sent to category A laboratories.

Participants were expected to isolate, identify, and report Candida glabrata. Participants were also expected to correlate the results with the companion Gram smear G151.

MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from M151-4

1. Ensure that the culture result matches the Gram smear.
2. The presence of pure or predominant yeast-like organisms in the Gram smear of a post-operative ICU patient should prompt speciation (or referral for speciation) with possible antifungal susceptibility testing depending on the agent being used for antifungal therapy.

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