This document discusses various body fluids and their microbiological analysis. It describes serous fluids as either transudates which are non-infected or exudates which contain inflammatory cells and pathogens. Examples of serous fluids covered include pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, synovial, hydrocele fluids. For each fluid, the document discusses locations in the body, potential causes of infection, and laboratory methods for diagnosis including collection, staining, culturing and examining samples.

1. Body fluid
Dr. Mahadi H Abdallah
PhD Microbiology

2. Serous fluid:
 They known as serous because they are like
serum.
 They are either to be:
 Transudate: Non infected, not containing
inflammatory cells and no microorganisms.
 Exudate: Infected fluid, containing numerous
inflammatory cells and causative agents.

3. The serous fluid include:
 Pleural fluid.
 Peritoneal (Ascetic) fluid.
 Pericardial fluid.
 Synovial (joint) fluid.
 Hydrocele fluid.
The fluids are normally sterile so any pathogen
isolated is significant if the process done under
aseptic condition.

4. Pleural fluid:
 It is fluid fill the pleural cavity between the lung and the
inner chest wall, and it is non-purulent pleural effusion.
 Empyema: refer to the purulent infected pleural effusion
containing inflammtory cells (PMN cells) and
microorganisms.
 This caused by: Pneumonia, TB, other pulmonary
infection, malignancy, lymphoma, SLE, amoebic liver
abscess and rheumatoid disease.

5. Pleural fluid:
 Lab-diagnosis:
 Causative agent: all causative of pneumonia.
 Collection of specimen: by aspiration using
vacuum container (freeof O2) about 5-10ml
 Concentration: if clear use centrifuge to
concentrate.
 Direct examination:
Do 20% KOH for fungi.

6. Pleural fluid:
Z N stain.
Gram’s stain.
Cell count.
Culture: On routine media for aerobic and anaerobic
organisms.

7. Peritoneal fluid:
 It is fluid found in the peritoneal cavity.
 Peritoneum: is membrane covered an internal
organ.
 It is property:
Found in small amount.
WBCs 300 cells/ml.
Protein & specific cavity is low.
The normal consistency.

8. Peritoneal fluid:
 Mode of infection:
Perforation of bowel.
External inoculation (surgery-wound-trauma).
By blood stream.
As a complication of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Through infection within the abdominal viscera.

9. Peritoneal fluid:
 Ascites: is an increased amount of peritoneal effusion,
usually caused by enterococci, Clostridia and
Mycobacterium.
 Aeitology:
 In children: Pneumococci, S. pyogens, Enterobacteria
and Staphylococci.
 In adult: E. coli, B. fragilis, Clostridia and Streptococci
and Enterococci.
 In sexual active female: N. gonorrhoea, C. trachomatis.

10. Peritoneal fluid:
 Lab-diagnosis:
 Collection: By aspiration or during surgery
(collect about 10ml) transported in anaerobic
container.
 Culture: In blood culture bottle for both aerobic
and anaerobic organisms then subculture on
suitable routine media.

11. Pericardial fluid:
 It is the fluid found in the pericardial space
between pericardium (it is tissue surround &
protect the heart and major blood vessel), and
epicardium (it is the membrane sac covered the
heart muscle) and it is about 15-20 ml.
 A etiology:
Bacteria: Mycoplasma, Mycobacteria, Chlamydia, S.
aureus, Pneumococci, viridans strept, Enterococci
and Enterobacteria.

12. Pericardial fluid:
– Fungi: Candida, Aspergillus and C. neoformans.
– Viral: Enterovirus, Echovirus, Adenovirus and
Influenza virus.
– Also by malignancy, SLE, trauma, uraemia &
rheumatic fever.

13. Synovial (join) fluid:
 It is fluid that fill the joins.
 Synovitis: is the inflammation of the synovial
membrane that lining the joints.
 Ostemytitis: is the infection of bone.
 Arthritis: is the infection of joints and its two
types:
Infective arthritis: due to infection.
Reactive arthritis: due to Ag-Ab reaction.

14. Synovial (join) fluid:
 Mode of infection:
Haematogenous spread of bacteria or fungi.
Extend from the infection of bone.
Injection of drugs (corticosteroid).
 Aetiology:
S. aureus, N. gonorrhoea, H. influenzae, E.coli, B.
fragelis, Actinomycetes, Clostridia, Mycoplasma,
Pneumococci, Strept (viridans, group A&B)

15. Synovial (join) fluid:
 Lab-diagnosis:
Collection of specimen: by aspiration with sterile
syringe.
Culture: part inoculated in to blood culture bottle and
other for smear.
Direct examination: Gram stain, ZN stain 20% KOH
for fungi

16. Hydrocele fluid:
 Found in the sac surround the testes.
 Collect in certain infection like W. bancrofti.

17. Bone marrow:
 Can used to diagnose Brucellosis, TB,
Histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis and Lishmania.

18. The end