[Microscopic observation of bacteria on MGG stained blood smear in a patient with decompensated cardiac failure by infection]

ABSTRACT

The presence of inclusions miming cocci and bacilli on MGG stained blood smears is a routine event in laboratories. However, performing peripheral blood smear to detect microorganisms in context of sepsis is not recommended for diagnosis of bacteremia because of its low sensitivity compared to blood culture. Otherwise, the fortuitous detection of bacteria on MGG stained peripheral blood smear for leucocytes differentiating purpose represents an evidence of strong bacteremia frequently associated with poor prognosis. Before accepting a diagnosis of sepsis and bacterial involvement, we need to perform more investigations as well as blood cultures or free culture methods. In this way, we report a single case of a sever sepsis detected fortuitously on MGG stained blood smear for leucocytes differentiation by the presence of free and intra-leukocytes lengthened inclusions in a patient hospitalized in intensive care unit and dead for multi-visceral insufficiency despite the early wide spectrum antibiotic use then adapted antimicrobial therapy once microbiological results were provided