Gram – Join Fluid: 3+ (6-10/oif) neutrophils –3+ (11-50/oif) gram negative bacilli (Kingella kingae) – Shipped February 08, 2021
HISTORY
A simulated joint fluid sample collected from 6 year old with sore knee was sent to category A and C1 laboratories. Participants were expected to report the presence of neutrophils and gram negative bacilli.
MAIN EDUCATIONAL POINTS from GS204-1
- Accurate examination of Gram stains prepared from joint fluids is crucial to support empiric antimicrobial therapy and patient management.
- K. kingae may be erroneously identified as gram positive on staining due to its propensity to resist decolorization and retain crystal violet dye.
- Reporting epithelial cells incorrectly may suggest skin contamination of the sample which might lead to misinterpretation of Gram stain results.
