Gram – Blood culture: gram negative bacilli (Pasteurella multocida) – Shipped 15 February 2016
HISTORY
A simulated blood culture smear collected from a 5 year old female patient with fever and a pet cat was sent to category A, B, C, and C1 laboratories.
Participants were expected to report gram negative bacilli/coccobacilli; participants were not expected to report cells as this sample simulated a slide prepared from a positive blood cul-ture bottle.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from G154
- Labs should not quantitate the organisms isolated from blood culture vials
- Accurate reading and interpretation of Gram stains as well as prompt reporting are very important to guide empiric therapy while awaiting culture and susceptibility results.
- The Gram stain of Pasteurella multocida shows gram negative bacilli or coccobacilli.
