CASE D

This specimen is from a pleural effusion from a 42-year-old woman with multiple myeloma.

Look at the slide (This will open a new browser window that you can refer to while answering the questions below. Close when finished.)

How many types of organisms are present in this smear?

1
2
3
4
5

Describe the morphology of the organism(s) seen in the smear. 

Gram negative bacilli and Gram positive bacilli
Gram negative diplococci and Gram positive bacilli
Gram netative bacilli and Gram positive cocci in clusters
Gram negative diplococci and Gram positive cocci in clusters
Gram negative bacilli and Gram positive bacilli with branching
Gram negative diplococci and Gram positive bacilli with branching

Describe the type of tissue cell(s) seen in the smear

  Epithelial cell
Macrophage
Red blood cells
Neutrophils

Name the genus of the Gram positive bacilli with branching seen on this Gram stain. Refer to the "Gram Stain Results" link on the left for assistance.

Bacillus
Escherichia coli
Nocardia
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus