Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Bacterial contamination in peripheral blood smear*


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› Microscopic Features:

• Bacterial colonies (usually cocci in chains and clusters) over RBCs
• The contaminating bacteria are usually cocci (dark blue round structures much smaller than the RBC)

› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:

• PB: None
• BM: None
• LN: None

› May Resemble:

• Platelets overlying red blood cell
• Artifacts (e.g. Stain precipitate)
• Real Bacterial infection

› Differential Diagnoses:

Artifact Real bacterial infection involving blood

› Classic Immunophenotype:

• N/A

› Cartoon Image:


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› Misc:

• Bacterial colonies (usually cocci: most likely Staphlococcus epidermidis) from contaminated handling during processing of the peripheral blood smear by the medical technologist