Gram – Joint fluid: neutrophils – No bacteria
HISTORY
A simulated joint fluid smear collected from a 66 year old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis was sent to category A, B, C, and C1 laboratories.
Participants were expected to report neutro-phils and the absence of bacteria.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from GS152-2
- Patients with underlying rheumatological conditions are at a greater risk for septic arthritis and joint aspiration is required to rule out concurrent infection. When in doubt, aspirate.
CMPT is a program of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Canada.