Skip to main content

Comparison of acridine orange and Gram stains for detection of microorganisms in cerebrospinal fluid and other clinical specimens.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lauer, BA; Reller, LB; Mirrett, S
Published in: J Clin Microbiol
August 1981

Acridine orange, a fluorochrome strain, is potentially superior to the Gram stain in the direct microscopic examination of clinical specimens because it gives striking differential staining between bacteria and background cells and debris. Its value in clinical laboratories was evaluated by testing 209 cerebrospinal fluids and 288 other body fluids, tissues, and exudates by both techniques. Smears were made in duplicate, fixed with methanol, stained, and examined without knowledge of the result of the companion smear or culture. Overall, acridine orange was slightly more sensitive than the Gram stain (acridine orange, 59.9%; Gram stain, 55.8%) and equally specific in detecting microorganisms. One smear was falsely positive by the Gram stain; none was falsely positive by the acridine orange stain. We conclude that acridine orange staining is a sensitive method for screening clinical specimens and reviewing selected specimens that are purulent, but negative by the Gram stain. Bloody fluids, thick exudates, and other normally difficult-to-read specimens were easily and quickly examined. We recommend, however, that positive smears be reexamined with the Gram stain to confirm the result and determine the Gram reaction of the microorganisms.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

J Clin Microbiol

DOI

ISSN

0095-1137

Publication Date

August 1981

Volume

14

Issue

2

Start / End Page

201 / 205

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Staining and Labeling
  • Microbiology
  • Humans
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Exudates and Transudates
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid
  • Body Fluids
  • Bacteria
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Lauer, B. A., Reller, L. B., & Mirrett, S. (1981). Comparison of acridine orange and Gram stains for detection of microorganisms in cerebrospinal fluid and other clinical specimens. J Clin Microbiol, 14(2), 201–205. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.14.2.201-205.1981
Lauer, B. A., L. B. Reller, and S. Mirrett. “Comparison of acridine orange and Gram stains for detection of microorganisms in cerebrospinal fluid and other clinical specimens.J Clin Microbiol 14, no. 2 (August 1981): 201–5. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.14.2.201-205.1981.
Lauer, B. A., et al. “Comparison of acridine orange and Gram stains for detection of microorganisms in cerebrospinal fluid and other clinical specimens.J Clin Microbiol, vol. 14, no. 2, Aug. 1981, pp. 201–05. Pubmed, doi:10.1128/jcm.14.2.201-205.1981.

Published In

J Clin Microbiol

DOI

ISSN

0095-1137

Publication Date

August 1981

Volume

14

Issue

2

Start / End Page

201 / 205

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Staining and Labeling
  • Microbiology
  • Humans
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Exudates and Transudates
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid
  • Body Fluids
  • Bacteria