Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal
Bacterial contamination in peripheral blood smear
›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
Real bacterial infection involving blood
›Classic Immunophenotype:
- N/A
›Cartoon Image:
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for direct comparison
for direct comparison
›Misc:
Bacterial colonies (usually cocci: most likely Staphlococcus epidermidis) from contaminated handling during processing of the peripheral blood smear by the medical technologist