CASE HISTORY Jared,a 48-Year-Old,previously Healthy Man,was Admitted to a Hospital in Columbus,Ohio,after

Multiple Choice

CASE HISTORY
Jared,a 48-year-old,previously healthy man,was admitted to a hospital in Columbus,Ohio,after six days of increasing dyspnea (shortness of breath) and watery diarrhea.Jared also complained of a dry cough,myalgia (muscle pain) ,nausea,and vomiting.He appeared flushed and had dry mucous membranes.His temperature was 39°C (102.2°F) ,and his pulse rate was 103 beats per minute.Chest radiographs showed pneumonia with consolidation (formation of a firm mass) of the left lower lobe.His c-reactive protein (crP,a blood protein produced by the liver) was greater than 220 milligrams per liter (mg/l) ,a high level that indicates inflammation.
Before onset of symptoms,Jared recalled having cleaned the filter of an outdoor whirlpool spa.Culture from Jared's sputum and from the spa filter revealed Gram-negative bacilli consistent with Legionella pneumophila.The diagnosis was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy using direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) stain.The patient received intravenous amoxicillin and clarithromycin antibiotics for eight days before his condition returned to normal.
If the technician conducting the Gram stain in this case study had left ethanol on the prepared slide longer than necessary,what might be the effect on this slide and identification?

A) The bacteria on the slide may have been decolorized Gram-positive bacilli.
B) None. The timing of ethanol does not affect the outcome of a Gram stain.
C) None, since the bacteria appear Gram negative, they could not have been over-decolorized.
D) The bacteria on the slide may have been cocci rather than bacilli.