1. Obtaining a Sample of Infected Tissue
For staph diagnosis, a sample of infected lesion (nasal secretion, pus, blood, cerebro-spinal fluid, urine, cell aspirate from lungs or bone) has to be obtained. Symptoms of staph infections are often caused by toxins, released from only few staphylococci, so a culture of obviously infected lesion may be negative! From this reason, samples from more than one lesion has to be provided, if possible.
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Staph Epidemiology
Pictures of Staphylococcal Folliculitis
2. Gram Staining
A clinical sample is placed on a slide and rinsed with:
- Crystal Violet
- Iodine Solution (the Mordant)
- Decolorizer (ethanol)
- Safranin (the Counterstain)
- Water
