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Gram Stain of Skin Lesion
Definition
A gram stain of a skin lesion is a laboratory test that uses special stains to detect and identify bacteria in a sample from a skin sore. The gram stain method is one of the most commonly used techniques for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections.
Alternative Names
Skin lesion gram stain
How the test is performed
Your health care provider will remove a sample of tissue from the skin sore. For information on how this is done, see the article on skin lesion biopsy.
The sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is applied in a very thin layer to a glass slide. A series of different colored stains is applied to the sample. A laboratory team member examines the stained slide under a microscope, checking for bacteria. The color, size, and shape of the cells help identify the infecting organism.
How to prepare for the test
No preparation is needed for the laboratory test.
How the test will feel
The laboratory test is painless. For information on what it feels like to have the skin sample removed, see skin lesion biopsy.
Why the test is performed
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of an infected skin sore. The test is done to determine which bacteria is causing the infection.
Normal Values
The test is normal if no bacteria are identified.
What abnormal results mean
An abnormal result means bacteria have been found in the skin lesion. Further tests are needed to confirm the results.
What the risks are
There are no risks related to the laboratory test. For information on risks related to the removal of a skin sample, see skin lesion biopsy.
Special considerations
A skin or mucosal culture may be done along with this test. Other studies are often done on a skin sample to determine if cancer is present.
Review Date: 12/3/2007
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright ©2003 A.D.A.M., Inc., as modified by University of California San Francisco. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Information developed by A.D.A.M., Inc. regarding tests and test results may not directly correspond with information provided by UCSF Medical Center. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
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