These images are from the original published atlas: Tenover, F. C., and J. V. Hirschmann. 1990. Interpretation of Gram stains and other common microbiologic slide preparations. The UpJohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich. Permission granted to the ASM MicrobeLibrary by Pfizer Inc.
This atlas was written to help clinicians, microbiologists, and laboratory personnel identify organisms in infected materials stained by techniques commonly used in most clinical laboratories. Please refer to the atlas' main page for more information and a guide to all of the images.
Slide 1. Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae
The numerous pleomorphic, gram-negative coccobacilli are Haemophilus influenzae, and the oval, gram-positive diplococci are Streptococcus pneumoniae. Some cases of pneumonia, especially in patients with alcoholism or chronic obstructive lung disease, are mixed infections caused by both organisms.
Slide 2. Anaerobic lung infection
The presence of many neutrophils and the absence of epithelial cells confirm that this is a good specimen. Both gram-negative and gram-positive bacilli and cocci are abundant, but no single type clearly predominates. In a patient with parenchymal pulmonary infection, such a combination of bacteria suggests that the patient has aspirated oropharyngeal organisms into the lung. Many of the bacteria are probably anaerobes, and the patient may have an anaerobic or mixed aerobic-anaerobic pneumonia or lung abscess. Foul-smelling sputum, produced in about half of patients with anaerobic pulmonary infections, is a clue for clinicians and microbiologists.
See also:
Sputum–Gram-Negative Diplococci and Coccobacilli (4 images)
Sputum–Mycobacteria (3 images)
Sputum–Unacceptable Specimens and Staining Artifacts (6 images)
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