About gram stain test :
With the help of gram stain test, the intensity of bacterial infection can be checked and the type of germ in the blood can also be detected. It is a staining procedure in which a sample of blood is examined according to different colors.
Typically, bacteria that show a light blue color (violet) in this test are gram-positive and others are gram-negative. Although this test does not identify the bacteria completely, it makes the process of detection easier. In simple language, with the help of gram stain test, it is known which tests are appropriate to identify the suspected bacteria accurately. In such a situation, there is no need to do many different types of tests.
Also, with the help of gram stain test, the doctor gets so much information many times, that he can give antibiotics even before identifying the bacteria. In this case, with the help of gram stain test, it can help in controlling the infection quickly.
The Gram stain test can also sometimes be used to identify fungi (including yeast). However, the virus cannot be identified with the help of this test procedure.
Why is gram stain test done?
Gram stain test is done to identify and determine the cause of bacterial infection. If the patient has the following problems, gram stain test can be done to find out their internal causes -
intestinal infection
Swelling and pain in the joints ( symptoms of joint infection )
breathing problems (such as shortness of breath or shortness of breath )
sexually transmitted disease
symptoms of heart infection
Swelling and fluid accumulation around the heart
foul-smelling and foul-smelling sputum,
cough for a long time
itching and burning in the eyes
Before gram stain test:
No special preparation is required before doing the gram stain test. However, the doctor may advise you to do some special preparations, depending entirely on the type of sample being collected. Samples for the Gram stain test are usually taken according to the person's symptoms.
During gram stain test :
The gram stain test procedure completely depends on which part of the body is being tested and what tissues or fluids are being taken from the body as a sample.
The sample for a Gram stain test usually includes the following:
taking a sputum, saliva, or mucus sample
taking a stool or urine sample
taking a sample of body fluids, such as using a needle to remove fluid from the lungs, heart, or around joints
taking a tissue sample, such as from the skin or cervix ( biopsy )
However, depending on where the tissue sample is to be taken from any part of the body, there may be some risks. Some types of gram stain tests are completely painless, such as urine and stool tests , etc. While there are some types of tests, which may cause some pain like biopsy etc. However, the doctor can give some types of medicines to keep the pain under control.
Types of Gram Stain Results:
The results of Gram stain test are of two types, normal or abnormal. If the gram stain result is normal, it indicates that there is no bacterial infection and if the result is abnormal, it indicates the presence of bacterial infection. The meaning of gram stain has been explained as follows –
routine test
A negative result of the gram stain test means a normal result. A normal result means that there are no harmful bacteria in your blood or only good bacteria are present. Normally bacteria can live in different parts of the body without causing any infection. However, if any type of bacteria is found in the spinal fluid, it indicates a bacterial infection.
A normal gram stain test result means that no microbes are found in the sample.
unusual results
A positive gram stain test result means an abnormal result. When bacteria are found in the sample during the test, the result is said to be abnormal. This test can also give the following information related to micro-organisms -
bacterial or fungal spots and scars,
gram-positive or gram-negative
shape of bacteria (round or long)
Along with telling all these information about the symptoms of the patient, it also helps the doctor to choose the right one for the condition.
After the abnormal result of gram stain test, the doctor may advise you to get some other tests done as well. In such a situation, it is usually advised to get a culture test done, with the help of which the pathogen causing the infection can be closely identified.