A microbiologist does a Gram stain on a CSF. She sees intracellular and extracellular gram-negative diplococci. What is the most likely organism?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of intracellular and extracellular gram-negative diplococci in CSF is highly suggestive of Neisseria meningitidis, which is known to cause meningococcal meningitis. Other organisms in the Neisseria genus do not typically cause meningitis, and N. gonorrhoeae would likely present differently.

A Microbiologist Does a Gram Stain on a CSF