Cystic Fibrosis Respiratory Culture

Gram stain and Aerobic culture for bacterial respiratory pathogens from patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Sputum (expectorated, induced, suctioned)
Collection Container: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Sputum, Expectorated

1. Patient should rinse mouth and gargle with sterile water prior to collection.
2. Instruct the patient NOT to expectorate saliva or postnasal discharge into the container.
3. Collect expectorated sputum into a sterile container with a screw cap

Sputum, Induced

1. Using a wet toothbrush and sterile water or saline, brush the buccal mucosa, tongue, and gums for 5 to 10 minutes prior to the procedure.
2. Rinse the patients mouth with sterile water or saline.
3. Using an ultrasonic nebulizer, have the patient inhale approximately 20-30ml of 3% NaCl.
4. Collect inducted sputum specimens into a sterile container with a screw cap

Endotracheal aspirate

1. Aspirate the specimen into a sterile sputum trap (i.e., Luken trap) and aseptically transfer the sputum sample to a sterile screw-cap container with the cap tightly secured before transport.

Bronchial Wash, Transbronchial Biopsy, Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), Bronchial Brushing

1. Follow standard collection practices

Negative or normal flora report is final at 5 days. Positive report depends on the extent of organism workup.

This culture method is not acceptable for detection of Legionella species, Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Contact the laboratory if detection of these pathogens is required. If a quantitative BAL is required, it must be selected as a source or submitted as a separate order (Culture, Respiratory/BAL Quantitative).