Identification of bacteria in direct smears may be of lifesaving importance. For example, a rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, made after examining a gram-stained smear of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, allows the physician to begin treatment immediately.
The appearance of bacteria on gram-stained smears is suggestive of a certain species, but identification may not be made on the basis of the stain alone. An exception to this rule is the presence of gram-negative intracellular diplococci from a male urogenital specimen, which is presumptive identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
In addition, culture results can be correlated with the direct smear report.
