Value of Gram's stain of cell block material from peritoneal fluid in bacterial peritonitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of Gram's stain of cell blocks of peritoneal fluid for the diagnosis of bacterial peritonitis.


METHODS
The results of Gram's stain of 12 cases of culture-positive, frank bacterial peritonitis (FBP) and 11 cases of culture-positive spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) were compared with 6 cases of culture-negative frank sterile peritonitis and 21 cases of culture-negative spontaneous sterile peritonitis.


RESULTS
For both FBP and SBP, Gram's stain had low sensitivity (8% and 9%). Overall, the positive predictive value of Gram's stain for peritonitis was 33%. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) was just as sensitive but had a positive predictive value of 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
In cell block material of peritoneal fluid, Gram's stain is of little value except to further characterize organisms seen on HE.
Renshaw
A A
AA
Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Doolittle
M H
MH
D000368:Aged; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004396:Coloring Agents