SPECIMEN GRAM STAINS

WHEN YOU KNOW:

GRAM STAIN RESULTS:

THINK:

Meningitis (CSF)

Pleomorphic Gram negative bacilli

Haemophilus influenzae

Gram negative diplococci Neisseria meningitidis
Gram positive cocci in pairs Streptococcus pneumoniae

Wound infection

Gram positive cocci in clusters

Staphylococcus aureus

Gram positive cocci in pairs Streptococci
Gram positive bacilli Bacillus, Clostridium
Gram negative bacilli E coli, enterics, others

Bacteremia

Gram positive cocci in clusters

Staphylococcus aureus

Gram positive cocci in chains Streptococci
Gram positive cocci in pairs Streptococcus pneumoniae
Gram positive bacilli Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Clostridium
Gram negative bacilli E coli, enterics, others
Yeast Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans

Urinary tract infection

Gram positive cocci in clusters

Staphylococcus aureus

Gram positive cocci in chains Streptococci
Gram positive cocci in pairs Enterococci
Gram negative bacilli E coli, enterics, others
Yeast Candida albicans