The following morning on rounds, Adhiambo's condition is unchanged although she is now afebrile.

The results of the CSF analysis are back. For some reason, no WBC count was done. Glucose is low and The protein is high. Gram stain is read as gram negative rods present. Adhiambo has a bacterial meningitis

Photo courtesy of Université Libre de Bruxelles

The following day, the intern harasses the lab and learns the CSF is growing Streptococcus pneumoniae Likely the original gram stain was over washed, making the gram positive diplococci somehow appear to be gram negative rods.

Photo courtesy of University of Missouri

After four days of Chloramphenicol, Adhiambo began to improve slowly.