Conventional blood culturing using automated instrumentation with phenotypic identification requires a significant amount of time to generate results. This study investigated the speed and accuracy of results generated using PCR and pyrosequencing compared to the time required to obtain Gram stain results and final culture identification for cases of culture-confirmed bloodstream infections. Re...

BACKGROUND We sought to assess the relationship between bacterial vaginosis (BV) assessed by Gram stain and incident trichomonal, gonococcal, and/or chlamydial genital infection. METHODS This longitudinal study included 3620 nonpregnant women aged 15-44 years who presented for routine care at 12 clinics in Birmingham, Alabama. Participants were assessed quarterly for 1 year. Vaginal smears we...

PURPOSE The objective of this study is to determine the role of quantitative cultures of non-bronchoscopic samples such as blinded bronchial sampling (BBS) and endotracheal aspirates (ETA) in the management of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). The study also evaluates the clinical diagnosis of VAP based on the inclusion of Gram stain results of BBS/ETA samples into modified clinical pulmon...

In 12 of 20 (60%) biopsy-proven cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, the diagnosis was first suggested by examination of routine Gram stains of impression smears made from infected lung tissue and later confirmed by methenamine-silver staining. The cysts appeared as 5- to 7-microns unstained spheres, each containing six to eight intracystic gram-negative bodies (sporozoites). Although the G...

Urethritis is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The aim of this study was to detect common bacterial causes of urethritis in men by Gram stain, culture and multiplex PCR.185 male patients who presented at the Skin and venereal clinic of the Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh with clinical symptoms suggestive of urethritis were enrolled in this s...

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess is no longer fatal but causes catastrophic disabilities. To prevent severe complications, early diagnosis is essential. Gram stain and string test are important for early diagnosis.