Sputum

General information:

In some cases, you may be advised to give a sputum for microbiological examination: bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis, etc.

Saliva is not a material for microbiological research! It can not give information about lower respiratory tract infection!
Always use sterile containers with a lid.

Certain microorganisms causing bronchitis and pneumonia cannot be isolated by classical microbiological examination of sputum: Chlamydophila pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Bordetella pertussis, Legionella pneumophila. For them, there are other methods of testing.

Sample Required:

Sputter is given after oral hygiene. This is done in the following way: In the morning before eating, the mouth is washed with warm water for a few minutes. If you wear dentures, it is desirable to remove them. Deeply cough, open the container and give sputum. Sometimes the cough is dry and unproductive, then expectoration is provoked by inhalation with salt solutions or water vapour.

The sputum has to be taken to the lab in the container within 2 hours.

Key words:

Sputum, pneumonia, bronchitis, infection, respiratory tract