Reading and Reporting Direct Smears

Special Considerations for Genital Smears

  • Gram negative cocci which occur in pairs with their adjacent sides flattened, giving them a coffee bean appearance, are typical of the genus Neisseria. Neisseria gonorrhea is commonly found within white blood cells; these organisms must be carefully sought within genital tract specimens, and their presence or absence should be specifically noted in the report.
  • The presence of intracellular gram negative bacilli in a purulent male urethral smear is presumptive evidence of gonococci, but this assumption cannot be made in a female.
  • Beware of other organisms which resemble gonococci but are found extracellularly, such as Acinetobacter lwoffi, which must be distinguished biochemically.

    • Review for ASCP Boards or test your clinical laboratory science knowledge with the FREE LabCE.com Quiz Game.

    Reading Gram Stained Direct Smears course details »

    Learn more about medical technologist continuing education for MTs, MLTs, and other lab personnel »

    Get information on laboratory compliance training for clinical and medical laboratories »