Value of granulocyte examination for bacteria

B. E. Carlson and B. R. Andersen

Granulocytes from patients with suspected bacteremia and from dogs with staphylococcal bacteremia were examined by light microscopy for the presence of intracellular inclusions that resembled microorganisms. Quantitative blood cultures were done at the same time. Few granulocytic inclusions were observed during a two-hour screening period even when high levels of bacteremia were present. There was no correlation between the number of inclusions and the quantitative blood culture data. The inclusions appear to be artifacts of the staining procedure. This technique has questionable value in the diagnosis of bacteremia and may be misleading.