Contents

Search

sputum gram stain

Indications: - lower respiratory tract infection Specimen: 1) sputum (not saliva) 2) minimum volume: 2 mL 3) container: -> commercially available sputum collection system or similar sterile container with a screw cap Notes: 1) > 10 epithelial cells/low power field suggests oropharyngeal specimen 2) < 10 epithelial cells per low power field (LPF) & leukocytes > 25 per LPF plus the findings of bacteria on gram stain support a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia [2] & the need for sputum culture

Related

culture of sputum sputum (phlegm)

General

Gram stain

References

  1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 491
  2. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 15, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2009