Reading and Reporting Direct Smears

Recording Bacterial Characteristics

  • The Gram stain reaction, shape, and arrangement of bacteria, and the presence or absence of intracellular organisms must be noted on the worksheet.
  • Examples:
    • Gram positive cocci in chains are present.
    • Gram negative diplococci, intracellular, are present within white blood cells.
  • Quantitate by approximating the average number of each cell type seen in 10 oil immersion fields, and record as:
    • Many = More than 15/field
    • Moderate = 4-15/field
    • Few = 1-3/field
    • Occasional = 2-10/10 fields
    • Rare = 0-2/10 fields

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