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A sputum culture is a test to detect and identify bacteria [1] or fungi that infect the lungs or breathing passages. Sputum is a thick fluid produced in the lungs and in the adjacent airways. Normally, fresh morning sample is preferred for the bacteriological examination of sputum. [ 2 ]
The best sputum samples contain very little saliva, [2] as saliva contaminates the sample with oral bacteria. This is especially true for samples for laboratory testing in cytology or microbiology. Specimen adequacy is assessed by the laboratory technologists by examining a Gram stain or cytology stain of the sputum.
Another method is by taking a sputum sample. [7] This is a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the lungs. [12] The sample is then examined for traces of eggs or larvae. [7] This method is more sensitive than a fecal sample. [7] Taking blood or milk samples could also prove the presence of the parasite. [9]
The medical history includes obtaining the symptoms of pulmonary TB: productive, prolonged cough of three or more weeks, chest pain, and hemoptysis.Systemic symptoms include low grade remittent fever, chills, night sweats, appetite loss, weight loss, easy fatiguability, and production of sputum that starts out mucoid but changes to purulent. [1]
A rapid diagnosis can however be made based on microscopic examination of sputum samples or samples obtained from a tissue biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage. [ 26 ] Once suspected, the diagnosis of blastomycosis can usually be confirmed by demonstration of the characteristic broad based budding organisms in sputum or tissues by KOH prep ...
Sampling of sputum from the lungs for sputum culture. It can be performed by special techniques of coughing, or by a protected specimen brush (PSB), [ 1 ] which is a brush that can be retracted into a plastic tube to prevent contamination of bacteria in the throat while inserting and removing the instrument.
For example, different types of samples must be collected in appropriate tubes to maintain the integrity of the sample and stored at appropriate temperatures (usually 4 °C) to preserve the virus and prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Sometimes multiple sites may also be sampled. [citation needed] Types of samples include the following:
An inoculation loop (also called a smear loop, inoculation wand or microstreaker) is a simple tool used mainly by microbiologists to pick up and transfer a small sample of microorganisms called inoculum from a microbial culture, e.g. for streaking on a culture plate. [1] [2] This process is called inoculation.