Gram – Wound: 3+ (6-10/oif) neutrophils; 4+ (>50/oif) gram positive bacilli (Nocardia species) – Shipped February 11, 2019
HISTORY
A simulated wound sample collected from 58 year old leukemia patient with a subcutaneous abscess was sent to category A, C, and C1 laboratories.
Participants were expected to report the presence of neutrophils and gram positive bacilli.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from G184
- Gram positive bacilli with a beading, branching morphology in the Gram stain is often a first clue for nocardiosis and may warrant the addition of selective media or extended incubation for recovery.
- A modified acid-fast and acid-fast stain can assist in the preliminary identification.
