Gram positive Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.

These are the MediaLab courses that cover Gram positive and links to relevant pages within the course.

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CLIA General Laboratory Review
What is the purpose of using methyl alcohol in the gram stain procedure:	View Page

CLIA Microbiology / Serology Review
Which two of the following organisms are gram positive:	View Page
Which of the following organisms are gram positive:	View Page
Which of the following organisms are gram positive:	View Page
Gram positive organisms	View Page
Which of the following species are gram positive:	View Page
MacConkey agar contains all of the following except :	View Page
What is the purpose of using alcohol in the gram stain procedure:	View Page
The red/pink color of the colonies (E. coli) seen on this MacConkey Agar Plate is an indication of:	View Page

Current Topics in Clinical Microbiology
Based on the gram stain morphology observed before, the possible presumptive identifications might include "gram positive cocci consistent with...	View Page

Reading Gram Stained Direct Smears
Match the following:	View Page
Match the following:	View Page
Quality Control Smears Quality control smears are stained at the same time as the patient's slides.They must be examined before you examine the patient's slides.If properly stained, the Staphylococcus aureus on the positive control slide will stain blue, or gram positive.The Escherichia coli on the negative control slide will stain red, or gram negative.If these slides are not stained properly, the problem must be resolved and new slides made before the patient specimen is examined.	View Page
The smears used for quality control are: (Choose ALL of the correct answers)	View Page
Yeast cells Yeast cells are approximately the same size as red cells but stain Gram positive. They appear oval and budding.	View Page
Fungal hyphae Tubular filaments of fungi called hyphae may also be seen in a direct smear. Hyphae stain Gram positive and may branch or intertwine. Parasites can also be identified with the Gram stain, although it is not as sensitive as the special stains used for parasites. The Gram stain reaction and appearance can be used to identify most cellular material seen in a direct smear. The crystal violet may precipitate and can be seen on the slide. If the stain has precipitated, it must be refiltered before use.	View Page
Match the Gram stain reaction for each of the following nonbacterial elements.	View Page
Evaluation of Controls If stains and technique are adequate, S. aureus should be gram positive (blue) and E. coli should be gram negative (pink). If control slides do react appropriately, reliable results cannot be assured for the specimen smears. Check stains and technique and prepare more control smears until proper results are achieved, then remake and stain the new direct smears. If it is impossible to prepare a new smear, the poorly stained smear may still be salvaged. Remove immersion oil from the smear using xylol. Use appropriate procedures and personal protective equipment when using xylol, since it is hazardous chemical. If the smear is underdecolorized, repeat the decolorization and counterstain steps. If the smear is overdecolorized, the slide should be stained again.	View Page
Size and Appearance of Cellular Elements Epithelial cells are larger than white blood cells and red blood cells, and contain a single nucleus. White blood cells (pus cells) usually show a segmented nucleus. Red blood cells are 1/2 to 2/3 as large as white blood cells, contain no nucleus, and are gram negative.Hyphae are gram positive tubular filamentous fungal elements which may show branching or intertwining. Yeast cells are round to oval, often budding, gram positive fungal elements, about the same size as RBCs. They are generally much larger than bacteria.	View Page

Reading Gram Stained Smears From Cultures
Which of the following statements are TRUE for the Gram positive control smear?	View Page
The staining reaction for yeast is:	View Page
A mixture of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria may be present within the same field of a slide.	View Page
Gram Positive and Negative Stain Colors Microorganisms that are Gram positive stain blue while those that are Gram negative stain pink.	View Page
Cocci and Rods Notice that Gram positive and Gram negative organisms can be either cocci (round) or bacilli (rod-shaped). A mixture Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria may be present in the same field.	View Page
Budding Forms of Yeast The budding forms of yeast are present in this field. Notice that yeast stain Gram positive.	View Page
Chain Cell Arrangement The long chains of Gram positive bacteria are obvious in this field.	View Page
Clusters of Gram Positive Bacteria Clumps or clusters of Gram positive bacteria are evident in this slide.	View Page
Please select all the choices below than correctly describe this Gram stained smear.	View Page
Please select all the choices below than correctly describe this Gram stained smear.	View Page
Please select all the choices below than correctly describe this Gram stained smear.	View Page
Please select all the choices below than correctly describe this Gram stained smear.	View Page
Please select all the choices below than correctly describe this Gram stained smear.	View Page
Please select all the choices below than correctly describe this Gram stained smear.	View Page
Gram Stain The Gram stain provides a fundamental differentiation between types of bacteria. Gram positive bacteria retain the primary stain and are deep violet in color. Gram negative organisms are those that decolorize during the staining process and, after counterstaining, are pink in color. Bacteria have two basic shapes:cocci (round)bacilli (rod-shape)	View Page
Tetrad Cell Arrangement Examples of Gram positive bacteria appearing in tetrads are seen in this slide. Sometimes bacteria in tetrad may not be as clear cut as this drawing indicates, and appear as clusters. N. gonorrhea colonies may appear as tetrads especially if the smear is made from very young colonies.	View Page
Please select all the choices below than correctly describe this Gram stained smear.	View Page

White Cell and Platelet Disorders: Peripheral Blood Clues to Nonneoplastic Conditions
The inclusions noted in the cytoplasm of this band neutrophil are most suggestive of:	View Page