Sputum Culture
200 Kshs | Home Collection Available
Synonyms
Sputum Culture,
Purpose
A sputum culture helps detect respiratory infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Healthcare providers also use it to identify pathogens that may cause chronic conditions like tuberculosis. When you show symptoms of TB, your provider may order a blood culture along with the sputum test to check if the TB has spread to your bloodstream.
In rare cases of disseminated TB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause an ear infection. This type of infection may lead to hearing loss, ear pain, discharge, fever, and swelling around the ear.
When this happens, the doctor can perform an ear swab alongside the culture to check if the infection has spread by confirming the presence of mycobacteria in your lungs and ears. Combining these tests gives the doctor a comprehensive diagnosis, which helps tailor an effective treatment plan.
Patient Preparation
The patient must remove dentures, rinse the mouth, and gargle with water.
Samples
Collect 5 – 10 ml of Expectorated sputum in a sterile screw-cap container. Only a specimen brought forth by a deep cough should be expectorated into the container. Refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C.
Reference Range
Negative/Normal
Results Turnaround
2 – 5 days after receipt of samples.
Diseases / Diagnostic Indicators
If your sputum test is positive, it indicates that you have an infection in your lungs or the general respiratory system.
These infections can be TB, pneumonia, or bronchitis. A sputum test helps to determine the specific microorganism responsible for the infections, allowing your doctor to apply the appropriate treatment.
In addition, the culture is also used to identify other pathogens, such as atypical bacteria or fungi, that may cause severe lung infections.
The culture also helps in the diagnosis of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs), especially in children. For further reading on Sputum Culture, you can visit this study.