This is a gram stain of spinal fluid from a person with meningitis.
The rod-like organisms seen in the fluid are Haemophilus influenza,
one of the most common causes of childhood meningitis (prior to the
widespread use of the H. influenza vaccine). The large red-colored
objects are cells in the spinal fluid. A vaccine to prevent
infection by Haemophilus influenza (type B) is available as one of
the routine childhood immunizations (Hib), typically given at 2, 4
and 12 months.
Review Date: 10/03/2005
Reviewed By: Mosby Publishing Company
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
