Evaluation of Gram Stain Error Rates of Clinical Specimens
Objective: To determine important errors in initial Gram staining of clinical specimens and evaluate the types of Gram-stain errors. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 20...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Army Medical College Rawalpindi
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pafmj.org/index.php/PAFMJ/article/view/5815 |
| Summary: | Objective: To determine important errors in initial Gram staining of clinical specimens and evaluate the types of Gram-stain errors.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2018 to Feb 2019.
Methodology: Gram staining and culture inoculation of all specimens were performed per recommended guidelines. The Gram stain results on day-0 were compared with the results of the culture on day-2. There was no discrepancy if similar organisms were obtained on culture as on Gram stain. Nevertheless, if the Gram stain and culture results were not similar, it was termed a discrepancy. The consultant microbiologist reviewed all discrepant slides, and if not resolved, possible causes of error were sought, and the results documented.
Results: Of the total 300 clinical specimens, errors were observed in the initial gram staining of 29 specimens (9.7%), whereas 271(90.3%) specimens were error-free. Upon evaluating these 29 errors, 11(38.0%) were observer errors which were resolved when reviewed by a consultant microbiologist. 14(48.0%) were technical errors, and 4(14.0%) results were discrepant due to the presence of anaerobic organisms, missed on initial aerobic cultures.
Conclusion: The frequency of Gram stain errors in our study (9.7%) is not very high; nevertheless, it can have severe consequences in critical samples from seriously ill patients if wrong empirical antimicrobial treatment is begun based on a wrong initial Gram stain result.
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| ISSN: | 0030-9648 2411-8842 |