A comparison of acridine orange, gram stain and culture for the detection of organisms in ocular specimens

Autor: J.K. Galbraith, F. McCurrach, L.P. Fong, J.H. Andrew, D. Grando, K. Stockman
Rok vydání: 1993
Předmět:
Zdroj: Pathology. 25:23
ISSN: 0031-3025
DOI: 10.1016/s0031-3025(16)35789-0
Popis: It has been reported that staining by acridine orange is more sensitive than a Gram stain for the detection of organisms in ocular specimens. We wished to compare the performance of these two methods and relate the results to those obtained by culture. Since the information on which to base therapy ideally requires knowledge of the Gram reaction in addition to organism morphology, even though acridine orange staining might prove to be more sensitive, a Gram stain would still be required. All corneal scrapings, intra ocular fluids and tissues sent to the laboratory during routine working hours were first stained with acridine orange and the results noted. A second independent scientist then Gram stained the smear and recorded the results. These Gram stains were then reviewed by the scientist who had performed the original acridine orange smear evaluation. Over a 14-month period a total of 247 specimens were processed. The sensitivity of the Gram and acridine orange stains in predicting the results of culture was 66% and 74%, respectively. However if those acridine orange results that could not be confirmed by Gram stain following review of the smear were excluded the sensitivity of the acridine orange stain fell to 65%. It was concluded that when examining ocular specimens there was no clear advantage to performing an acridine orange stain in our laboratory, as a supplement to, or instead of the Gram stain.
Databáze: OpenAIRE