A Gram stain of CSF from a person with suspected meningitis shows large numbers of polymorphs with intracellular Gram-negative diplococci.The causative agent is most likely to be

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The presence of intracellular Gram-negative diplococci in CSF is characteristic of Neisseria meningitidis, which is a common cause of meningitis in both children and adults. Haemophilus influenzae can also cause meningitis, but it typically presents with small, pleomorphic Gram-negative rods on Gram stain. Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that can cause meningitis but appears as encapsulated yeast cells on Gram stain. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a bacterial pathogen that can cause meningitis, but it typically presents with acid-fast bacilli on special stains. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of meningitis, but it presents with Gram-positive cocci on Gram stain.

A Gram Stain of CSF from a Person with Suspected