A Gram stain and culture of the material from an infected site are the most commonly performed microbiology tests used to identify the cause of an infection. Often, determining whether an infection is caused by an organism that is Gram positive or Gram negative will be sufficient to allow a doctor to prescribe treatment with an appropriate antibiotic while waiting for more specific tests to be completed. Absence or presence of white blood cells in the Gram stain can determine the adequacy of the specimen.
Gram Stain
Gram Stain
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Gram Stain
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Este artigo foi modificado pela última vez em 10 de Julho de 2017.
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Common Questions
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How is it used?
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When is it ordered?A Gram stain is done with a bacterial culture when a bacterial infection is suspected.
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What does the test result mean?Determining the Gram status of an organism allows the doctor to select an appropriate antibiotic before culture results are available. Gram stains cannot confirm the organism’s identity or susceptibility to antibiotics. Only a culture of the material can supply this information.
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Is there anything else I should know?Bacterial infections should not be ignored, even if the symptoms are mild. You should consult your doctor so treatment, if necessary, can begin promptly, and the spread and severity of the disease can be limited. If left untreated, bacterial infections can migrate throughout the body and cause tissue and organ damage.
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What are the treatment options for bacterial infections?Antibiotics are the main treatment of bacterial infections.
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What does the doctor look for on the slide?In addition to color, which indicates whether the organism is Gram positive or Gram negative, the shape of the organism (such as rod-shaped) and the formation of groups of organisms are informative. For example, staphylococcus (staph) bacteria are found in grape-like clusters, while streptococcus (strep) bacteria are found in pairs or chains, like a string of pearls.
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What happens if my doctor needs more information than the Gram stain provides?
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Can I perform this test at home?