TABLE 1.

Specimen, culture result, PCR/ESI-MS result, and level of detection

Specimen	Vol	Culture result	Gram stain findings	PCR/ESI-MS result (GE/well)a
CSF from LP performed in ED	2 ml	No growth	Many segments; no organisms	S. intermedius (204)
CSF from fluid obtained when the EVD was placed	2 ml	No growth	Many segments with intracellular Gram-positive structures resembling cocci	S. intermedius (229)
Fixed tissue from a transbronchial biopsy of the subcarinal lymph node	NAb	No growth	Many neutrophils with necrotic cellular debris; no organisms	S. intermedius (178)

^aGE/well, number of genome equivalents per PCR.

^bNA, not applicable.