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Routine sputum culture is a test of secretions from the lungs and bronchi (tubes that carry air to the lung) to look for bacteria that cause infection.
Alternative NamesSputum culture
How the test is performedYou will cough deeply and spit any sputum into a sterile cup. The sputum is then taken to the laboratory. There, it is placed in a special substance (medium) under conditions that allow the bacteria or fungi to grow.
How to prepare for the testDrinking a lot of water and other fluids the night before the test may help to get the sample.
How the test will feelYou will need to cough. Sometimes the health care provider will tap on the chest to loosen deep sputum. There may be a steam-like mist to inhale to help you cough up the sample.
Why the test is performedThe culture is done on the sputum to help identify the bacteria that are causing an infection in the lungs or airways (bronchi).
Normal ValuesIn a normal sputum sample there will be no disease-causing organisms present.
What abnormal results meanIf the sputum sample is abnormal, the results are called "positive." Identifying disease-producing organisms may help diagnose:
Other conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Atypical mycobacterial infection
- Atypical pneumonia
- Blastomycosis
- Bronchiectasis
- Coccidioidomycosis; acute (primary) pulmonary
- Coccidioidomycosis; chronic pulmonary
- Coccidioidomycosis; disseminated
- Cryptococcosis
- Disseminated tuberculosis (infectious)
- Histoplasmosis; acute (primary) pulmonary
- Histoplasmosis; chronic pulmonary
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Mycoplasma pneumonia
- Plague
- Pulmonary aspergilloma (mycetoma)
- Pulmonary aspergillosis; invasive type
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Viral pneumonia
There are no risks with this method of obtaining a sample.
Special considerationsSometimes a Gram stain or AFB stain of the sputum done at the same time can help make the diagnosis.
What else can I help you with?
What are the types of sputum cultures?
Bacterial culture. Fungal culture. Viral culture
What is a sputum culture?
Sputum is material coughed up from the lungs and expectorated (spit out) through the mouth. A sputum culture is done to find and identify the microorganism causing an infection of the lower respiratory tract such as pneumonia.
How long does it take to get tuberculosis sputum culture results?
It can take anywhere from one to eight weeks to get Tuberculosis Sputum culture results. The test will determine if you have Tuberculosis.
How do antibiotics effect sputum cultures?
Antibiotics in the person's system may prevent microorganisms present in the sputum from growing in culture.
What are the normal results of a sputum culture?
Sputum from a healthy person would have no growth on culture. A mixture of microorganisms, however, normally found in a person's mouth and saliva often contaminate the culture. they may be reported as normal flora contamination.
Sputum Culture-gram positive cocci?
Sounds pretty typical.
Is sputum and culture sensitivity used to diagnose pneumonia?
What can cause germination of a disk
What preparations are associated with sputum culture?
The specimen for culture should be collected before antibiotics are begun. The patient should first rinse his or her mouth with water. If tuberculosis is suspected, collection of sputum should be carried out in an isolation room.
How long it does take to know if the sputum culture is positive?
It typically takes about 2-3 days for a sputum culture to show positive results. However, the exact time can vary depending on the specific laboratory testing procedures and workload.
What are the most common types of culture specimens?
Throat, Urine, sputum, wound, and stool.
How are sputum cultures performed?
.the sputum must be collected into a sterile container. Once in the laboratory, each culture type is handled differently. Bacterial culture.sputum is smeared on a microscope slide for a Gram stain. for mold or yeast, a fungal culture is done.
Why are sputum cultures performed?
A sputum culture is done to find and identify the microorganism causing an infection of the lower respiratory. If a microorganism is found, more testing is done to determine which antibiotics will be effective in treating the infection.
