Laboratory Notes for Meeting

The laboratory received 3 stool specimens and one peritoneal fluid specimen from the E.R. They are awaiting several specimens from the operating room.

Stool specimens from today are negative for ova and parasites, with low number of white blood cells. Cultures are pending.

There is one stool specimen from the day before that has grown flat colonies that are irregularly round with edges that are slightly irregular with a wavy border, and have a ground glass appearance.

Gram stain of peritoneal fluid specimen was unusual: there is an apparent large gram-positive rod. Fluid has been plated for culture.

Lab supervisor reports that he has never seen a pattern like this and prefers not to speculate on what it might be before he sees additional cultures tomorrow.