Morphological Identification of Bacteria from Patient's Sputum through Gram Staining: Microscopic Analysis

Identifikasi Morfologi Bakteri dari Sputum Pasien melalui Pewarnaan Gram: Analisis Mikroskopis

Abstract

Lower respiratory tract infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in areas with limited diagnostic resources. This study aimed to identify bacterial morphology in patient sputum samples through Gram staining, using a descriptive observational approach at RSUD Pandan Laboratory in early 2025. Gram staining involved applying crystal violet, Lugol’s iodine, alcohol-acetone, and safranin to prepared slides, followed by microscopic observation at 1000x magnification. Results revealed the presence of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive cocci arranged in clusters were suggestive of Staphylococcus spp., while Gram-negative bacilli observed in various arrangements indicated potential pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This simple microscopic technique allowed early morphological identification of respiratory pathogens, providing crucial guidance for empirical antibiotic therapy. Despite its limitations in species-level identification, Gram staining remains a fast, affordable, and practical diagnostic method in settings with limited laboratory infrastructure.