| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Sputum Culture
MessageRoutine culture of sputum collected from a cystic patient, also includes gram stain refer to C CYSTIC
Culture for AFB, TB, Mycobacterium, atypical Mycobacterium, MAC, or MAI (includes AFB smear) refer to C AFB
Culture for Fungus (mould or yeast) refer to C F
Legionella culture refer to C LEG
DFA for Pneumocystis jiroveci (carinii) refer to PCFA
Culture for AFB, TB, Mycobacterium, atypical Mycobacterium, MAC, or MAI (includes AFB smear) refer to C AFB
Culture for Fungus (mould or yeast) refer to C F
Legionella culture refer to C LEG
DFA for Pneumocystis jiroveci (carinii) refer to PCFA
Test Code
C SP
Preferred Specimen
Sputum collected in sterile, screw-capped container
Instructions
Describe exact type of specimen including collection method, such as:
Sputum, expectorated
Sputum, endotracheal
Sputum, induced
Sputum, expectorated
Sputum, endotracheal
Sputum, induced
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
NURSING UNITS:
Send to the Lab within 2 hours of collection.
Send to the Lab within 2 hours of collection.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
| Sputum or Tracheal Aspirate | Ambient | 2 hours |
| Refrigerate | 24 hours |
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unacceptable specimens:
NOTE: All sputum samples for routine culture are first screened by gram stain. Those with an unacceptable number of epithelial cells per 100X field will be rejected for set up and reported as 'not representative of lower respiratory tract secretions'.
24-hour pooled sputum samples
More than one sample from the same source within a 24-hour period - NOTE: exception for SPUTUM for AFB only
Frozen specimens
Sputum samples for viral cultures
NOTE: All sputum samples for routine culture are first screened by gram stain. Those with an unacceptable number of epithelial cells per 100X field will be rejected for set up and reported as 'not representative of lower respiratory tract secretions'.
24-hour pooled sputum samples
More than one sample from the same source within a 24-hour period - NOTE: exception for SPUTUM for AFB only
Frozen specimens
Sputum samples for viral cultures
Clinical Significance
Isolation of potential respiratory pathogens can be useful in the diagnosis of respiratory tract infection. Due to the method of collection this specimen may contain normal oral flora. The significance of any isolate must be evaluated with this in mind.
NOTE: All sputum samples for routine culture are first screened by Gram stain. Those with an unacceptable number of epithelial cells per 100X field will be rejected for set up and reported as 'not representative of lower respiratory tract secretions'.
NOTE: All sputum samples for routine culture are first screened by Gram stain. Those with an unacceptable number of epithelial cells per 100X field will be rejected for set up and reported as 'not representative of lower respiratory tract secretions'.
