LOINC display name : Microscopic observation Alberts stain Nom (Throat);
LOINC long common name : Microscopic observation [Identifier] in Throat by Alberts stain;
LOINC short name : Alberts Stn Throat;
LOINC description : A microscopic exam of a smear from a throat swab for suspected diphtheria. Albert's
stain demonstrates the metachromatic granules in the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacillus.
The C. diphtheriae bacillus stains green and the granules stain bluish black. These
granules are also called volutin bodies, Babe-Ernst granules, or polar bodies. Albert's
stain can be used for the presumptive diagnosis of diphtheria. Albert's staining demonstrates
the metachromatic granules in club-shaped C. diphtheriae bacilli, often arranged in
Chinese character-like formations. Albert's technique can also stain non-pathogenic
Corynebacterium species (diphtheroids) in the throat, thus a positive Albert's smear
should only be considered a presumptive diagnosis diphtheria.;
Has component