Sputum samples are collected from the lower respiratory tract and cultured in the laboratory.

The test helps identify bacteria, fungi, or mycobacteria responsible for respiratory infections.

Once organisms are isolated, antibiotic sensitivity testing is performed to determine effective treatment options.

Clinical uses include:

Diagnosing pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and lung abscesses.

Identifying causative organisms (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

Guiding antibiotic therapy to avoid resistance.

Monitoring chronic or recurrent respiratory infections.

Provides definitive microbiological evidence for infection management in pulmonology.

Analyte: Microorganisms present in sputum samples.

Normal Result: No growth (sterile sample).

Abnormal Findings:

Positive culture: Indicates infection by pathogenic organisms.

Sensitivity profile: Identifies antibiotics effective against the isolated organism.

Clinical Use:

Provides a direct microbiological diagnosis of respiratory tract infections.

Helps guide precise antimicrobial therapy.

Supports pulmonology, infectious disease, and internal medicine evaluations.