Sputum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputum

Sputum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sputum ['spju.tm] is mucus that is coughed up from

the lower airways.[1] In medicine, sputum samples are
usually used for microbiological investigations of
respiratory infections and cytological investigations
of respiratory systems.

Sputum
ICD-10 R09.3 (http://apps.who.int/classifications
/icd10/browse/2015/en#/R09.3)
ICD-9 786.4 (http://www.icd9data.com

/getICD9Code.ashx?icd9=786.4)
The best sputum samples contain very little saliva,[2]
as saliva contaminates the sample with oral bacteria.
This event is assessed by the clinical microbiologist by examining a Gram stain of the sputum. More
than 25 squamous epithelial cells at low enlargement indicates salivary contamination.

When a sputum specimen is plated out, it is best to get the portion of the sample that most looks like pus
onto the swab. If there is any blood in the sputum, this should also be on the swab.
Microbiological sputum samples are usually used to look for infections by Moraxella catarrhalis,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. Other pathogens
can also be found.
Purulent sputum[3] contains pus, composed of white blood cells, cellular debris, dead tissue, serous fluid,
and viscous liquid (mucus). Purulent sputum is typically yellow or green. It is seen in cases of
bronchiectasis, lung abscess, an advanced stage of bronchitis, or acute upper respiratory tract infection
(common cold, laryngitis).
Sputum can be:
1. Bloody[4] (hemoptysis)
1. Blood-streaked sputum inflammation of throat, bronchi; lung cancer;
2. Pink sputum sputum evenly mixed with blood, from alveoli, small bronchi;
3. Massive blood cavitary tuberculosis of lung, lung abscess, bronchiectasis, infarction,
embolism.
2. Rust colored usually caused by pneumococcal bacteria (in pneumonia)
3. Purulent containing pus. The sputum colour of patients with acute cough and no underlying
chronic lung disease does not imply therapeutic consequences such as prescription of
antibiotics.[5] The colour can provide hints as to effective treatment in chronic bronchitis
patients:[6]
1. A yellow-greenish (mucopurulent) color suggests that treatment with antibiotics can reduce
symptoms. Green color is caused by Neutrophil Myeloperoxidase.
2. A white, milky, or opaque (mucoid) appearance often means that antibiotics will be
ineffective in treating symptoms. This information may correlate with the presence of
bacterial or viral infections, but current research does not support that generalization.
4. Foamy white may come from obstruction or even edema.
5. Frothy pink pulmonary edema.
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Sputum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputum

See also
Phlegm the mucus produced by the respiratory system that is called sputum after it is expelled
by coughing

References
1. Sputum definition Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms easily defined on MedTerms
(http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5539)
2. Clinical Microbiology procedures handbook, American Society for Microbiology 2nd Ed. 2007 update
3. Richard F.LeBlond. Diagnostics_expectoration. US: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN 0-07-140923-8.
4. Richard F.LeBlond. Diagnostics_expectoration. US: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN 0-07-140923-8.
5. Sputum colour for diagnosis of a bacterial infection in patients with acute cough
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410464/)
6. Sputum Color is the Key to Treating Acute COPD Exacerbations (http://www.pulmonaryreviews.com/aug00
/pr_aug00_sputum.html)

External links
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Categories: Symptoms and signs: Respiratory system
This page was last modified on 21 May 2015, at 06:03.
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