©2006-2020 Healthwise, Incorporated. Breathe slowly. The type of germ may be identified using a microscope or chemical tests. You wait too long to take the sample to the lab. Friends and Family test Make a complaint Frequently asked questions Share your thoughts on our website ... Sputum culture results are often unreliable and sensitivity of culture is poor for many pathogens. Sputum (say "SPYOO-tum") is a thick fluid, or mucus, made in the lungs and in the airways leading to the lungs. Does it contain other bacteria that aren't infecting the lungs? To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. You can go back to your usual activities right away. You may also feel as if you can't breathe. A soft, flexible tube (called a nasotracheal catheter) is put through the nose and down the throat. Differences in the genetic material (. Once the bacterial strain is determined, the lab can then do further tests to figure out which antibiotic is most effective against that bacteria (sensitivity testing). Sensitivity testing helps a doctor choose the best medicine to kill certain types of bacteria or fungi infecting a person. You’ll be asked to cough deeply … A culture is another kind of test that may be done. Suction is applied for up to 15 seconds to collect the sample. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Tell your doctor if you have recently taken antibiotics. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & W. David Colby IV MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease. Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. Harmful bacteria or fungi are present. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. A bacterial sputum culture may be ordered by itself, along with a complete blood count (CBC) to evaluate the type and number of white blood cells as an indication of infection, and/or along with a blood culture to test for septicemia. So the doctor will consider your symptoms, condition, and other test results (such as a chest X-ray) along with your culture results. The major component of mucus that is produced is mucin which can act as a protective barrier or lubricant that makes many bacteria inside our bodies less dangerous. Sputum, also known as phlegm, is a thick type of mucus made in your lungs. You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if: Current as of: A sample of sputum is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If test results point to an infection, sensitivity testing may be done. This is especially true when other tests have not definitely found the cause. Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds.

Where transport is difficult, specimens may be cultured up to 48hr after collection. Ask your doctor when you can expect to have your test results. A sputum culture is done to find and identify bacteria that are causing a lung infection such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. Suction can also be used to collect a sputum sample. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). A sputum culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A sample of sputum is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. Some types of mouthwash can kill bacteria and could affect your results. Culture results may reflect colonisation rather than true infection.

The sputum is placed in a container with substances that help germs grow. 3 consecutive daily samples) are NOT required for routine sputum culture. Why is this test done? The organism that causes tuberculosis may take 6 weeks to grow.

These additional tests include, for example, an AFB smear and culture to detect tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections, a fungal culture, or a Legionella culture. Ideally a minimum volume of 1 mL is required. This tapping helps loosen the sputum in your lungs before you cough. Culturing bacteria to test for TB is much more complex and expensive to carry out than sputum smear microscopy. St. Louis: Saunders. This can be done to determine the particular type of bacteria causing pneumonia. How long your results take depends on the type of infection your doctor thinks you may have. A bacterial sputum culture may be ordered by itself, along with a complete blood count (CBC) to evaluate the type and number of white blood cells as an indication of infection, and/or along with a blood culture to test for septicemia. What is it?

Some organisms do not grow in a standard culture and need a special growth medium to be found in a sputum culture. If transport is delayed, refrigeration is preferable to storage at ambient temperature. Normal culture results are negative. This method is often used for people who are very sick or unconscious. Results should be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical findings. But other culture results may not be available for 1 to several days. E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine, Robert L. Cowie MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology, W. David Colby IV MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease, Medical Tests: Questions to Ask the Doctor, Find bacteria or fungi that are causing an infection of the lungs or the airways leading to the lungs. Then rinse your mouth with water. Learn how we develop our content. Sign up today and stay up to date with the latest news and events. The significance of any isolate must be evaluated with this in mind. © 1995-2020 Healthwise, Incorporated. Bronchiectasis samples are examined for a wider range of respiratory pathogens, i.e.

When the cough is dry, physiotherapy, postural drainage or inhalation of an aerosol before expectoration may be helpful. If you have an infection or chronic illness affecting the lungs or airways, it can make you cough up sputum.

A sputum culture is done to find and identify the microorganism causing an infection of the lower respiratory tract such as pneumonia (an infection of the lung). If germs that can cause infection grow, the culture is positive. PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities. The sputum sample will be placed in a container with a growth medium or culture medium. Any bacteria or fungi that grow will be found under a microscope or by chemical tests.

Saliva and pernasal secretions are not suitable. If you still have trouble coughing up a sample, you may be asked to inhale an aerosol mist to help you cough. A sputum culture tests a sample of sputum to see if it contains germs. This testing helps to find the best antibiotic to kill the bacteria or fungus. Next, take a deep breath and cough deeply to get a sample of sputum. A small, thin brush may be used to collect a sample.

If you are given medicine to numb your throat and nose, you may feel as if your tongue and throat are swollen.

These include some types of strep ( Streptococcus) and staph ( Staphylococcus). Some types of bacteria or fungi grow quickly in a culture, and some grow slowly. Expectorate sample directly into the container. The material required is from the lower respiratory tract, expectorated by deep coughing. The culture can also find the best antibiotic to treat the infection. Normally, fresh morning sample is preferred for the bacteriological examination of sputum. Do not use mouthwash before you collect your sputum sample. You simply need to provide the sample for the lab to test. Transport without delay to ensure survival of fastidious organisms. Alert: Beware of new phone scam attempting to obtain personal information. This is because it requires specific equipment and laboratory facilities. Clinical Significance Culture, Sputum/Lower Respiratory - Isolation of potential respiratory pathogens can be useful in the diagnosis of respiratory tract infection. Bacteria or a fungus may be found by using special dyes on the sputum sample. The type of germ may be identified using a microscope or chemical tests. Sputum that has passed through the mouth normally contains several types of harmless bacteria. These are substances that help with the growth of bacteria or fungi. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. If germs that can cause infection grow, the culture is positive. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. Sputum culture: A sputum culture is done by placing a sample of a sputum in a growing media (agar dish) and looking for the presence of growth. Some infectious agents cannot be grown and identified with a routine bacterial sputum culture, so that other tests, such as an AFB smear and culture , fungal culture, or viral PCR testing, may be requested in addition to or instead … If no germs grow, the culture is negative. February 11, 2020, Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine Robert L. Cowie MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology W. David Colby IV MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease, Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Robert L. Cowie MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology & W. David Colby IV MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease.

Culture results may reflect colonisation rather than true infection. A sputum culture is a test that checks for bacteria or another type of organism that may be causing an infection in your lungs or the airways leading to the lungs. The sputum specimen is placed into a culture medium, which contains nutrients. In some cases, three or more morning samples may be needed. A sputum culture is a sample of the gooey substance that often comes up from your chest when you have an infection in your lungs or airways. Fungus often takes a week or longer to grow. The sputum is placed in a container with substances that help germs grow.