Gram-variable bacteria

• Crystal violet in the Gram stain is partially retained

Organisms

• Bacillus
• Clostridium
• Acinetobacter
• Streptococcus pneumoniae

	Stain	Shape	Shape
Arcanobacterium haemolyticum	Gram-positive Gram-variable	bacillus curved	bacillus curved
Gardnerella vaginalis	Gram-negative Gram-variable	bacillus coccobacillus	bacillus coccobacillus
Listeria monocytogenes	Gram-variable Gram-positive	bacillus pleomorphic	bacillus pleomorphic