Abnormal results -- bacteria on the Gram stain -- may indicate infection of the joint (for example, gonococcal arthritis). The type of bacteria seen can guide the doctor's choice of antibiotics.
Review Date: 2/10/2006
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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