Mucus production in the respiratory tract is a normal process. Sputum analysis test test results, normal range, cost. Diagnostic value of sputum grams stain and sputum culture. Subsequent gram stain and culture results were compared to sputum color. Sputum analysis definition of sputum analysis by medical. Such color hints are best detected when the sputum is viewed on a very white background such as white paper, a white pot or a white sink surface.
Yield at each level of analysis differed greatly by color. Sputum colour, particularly green and yellow, was a stronger predictor of potentially pathogenic bacteria than. At least in the other 12 season color analysis book, a whole category is given to women with gray hair. Sputum analysis is used to screen for disease and to monitor patient response to drug and nondrug therapy. The yield from sputum colors green, yellowgreen, yellow, and rust was much higher than the yield from cream, white, or clear. Purulent sputum contains pus and is associated with bacterial infection. Definition, colors, causes, and when to see a doctor. Sputum definition it is a secretion that is produced in the lungs and the bronchi.
It allows for the isolation of bacterial or eukaryotic dna from the sputum samples using a convenient spin column format. The 2007 infectious diseases society of america and american thoracic society idsaats consensus guidelines recommend. Its a slippery, sticky, gellike substance that coats the nose, throat, and lungs, among other areas of the body. Results were reported as significant when p sputum colour was examined by receiver operating characteristic roc curves and area under the curve auc. Factors predicting a positive culture were sputum colour the strongest predictor, sputum purulence, increased dyspnoea, male sex and absence of fever. The colour of phlegm can show if you have an infection confirming widespread beliefs by doctors and parents alike, the colour of phlegm coughed up by people is indeed a good indicator of whether. There are often some precautions taken to avoid any contamination of the sample, and sometimes the patient has to drink extra fluid to increase the quantity of the lung secretion. Sputum colour predicted bacterial colonisation 5% in mucoid sputum.
Scroll down to read the article or download a printfriendly pdf here click here to see other articles in this series. The yield from sputum colors green, yellowgreen, yellow. You simply need to provide the sample for the lab to test. Sputum analysisdefinitionsputum is a substance comprised of mucous, foreign matter, and saliva that is found in the lungs or bronchial tree. Yellow, orange or green sputum is commonly associated with bacterial or viral infection. Mucus is a totally normal substance that your body makes to help keep you healthy. We assessed risk factors for bacterial colonisation in copd.
Automatic sputum color image segmentation for lung cancer. Sputum microscopy culture, staining, requirements and observations. For this reason, we attempt to develop an automatic diagnostic system for detecting lung cancer in its early stages based on the analysis of sputum color images. It assists in the diagnosis of respiratory infections, as indicated by the presence or absence of organisms in culture. Results and discussion based on bartletts screening criteria, out of 233 sputum samples processed, 167 71. Also referred to as phlegm, sputum is produced in the bronchi and bronchioles of the respiratory system and coughed up from the lower airways and should not be confused or mistaken for saliva, which is secreted in the mouth for digestion purposes. Such color hints are best detected when the sputum is viewed on a very white.
Eileen shepherd is clinical editor at nursing times. Pdf sputum color for diagnosis of a bacterial infection. It consists of macroscopic and microscopic assessments of the sputum. Colour of sputum is a marker for bacterial colonisation in. Your doctor will likely look at the color of what youve spat out. Normally, fresh morning sample is preferred for the bacteriological examination of sputum. Sputum is usually a combination of saliva and mucus that forms in a persons lungs. Greenyellow stained phlegm is usually a sign your body is fighting an infection, such as a cold or flu. If outpatient sputum is cream, white, or clear, the yield from bacteriologic analysis is extremely low. Any hint of yellow color suggests an airway infection but does not indicate the type of organism causing it.
A sputum culture is done to find and identify the microorganism causing an infection of the lower respiratory tract such as pneumonia an infection of the lung. Sputum collection at least three consecutive sputum specimens are needed. Recently, medical researchers have proven that the analysis of sputum cells can lead to a successful diagnosis of lung cancer 4. The sputum used for analysis is collected when a person coughs or spits. A portion of the sputum specimen is stained and put on a slide for examination of cells and organisms. By examining the type of sputum and noting the color as well as the presenting signs and symptoms, a differential diagnosis may be reached prior to laboratory tests and examination sputum.
Roc analysis determined the sputum colour score cutoff which best defined neutrophilic inflammation based on the bronkotest sputum colour chart. Naked eye exam of sputum can be done at home by a patient in order to note the various colors see below. By examining the type of sputum and noting the color as well as the presenting signs and symptoms, a differential diagnosis may be reached prior to laboratory tests and examination sputum cytology and culture. See more ideas about color analysis, color, seasonal color analysis. The sputum colour chart as a predictor of lung inflammation and proteolysis in noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis the safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Definition sputum is material coughed up from the lungs and expectorated spit out through the mouth. Sputum color for diagnosis of a bacterial infection in patients with acute cough article pdf available in scandinavian journal of primary health care 272. Bacteria may spread downward from the upper respiratory tract, bacteria in oral or gastric secretions may be aspirated into the lungs, airborne droplets such as from a person sneezing or coughing can be. They were used in a pooled analysis to determine the correlation between sputum colour and the presence of a potentially pathogenic microorganism ppm in. A sputum culture is a test to detect and identify bacteria or fungi that infect the lungs or breathing passages. The student will be able to describe the best method for. Sputum colour can identify patients with neutrophilic. By examining the type of sputum and noting the color as well as the presenting signs and symptoms, a differential diagnosis may be reached prior to laboratory tests and examination.
Sputum can be any color including clear, white, yellow, green, pink or red and blood tinged with different medical conditions. Sputum culture is used to diagnose pneumonia, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, or pulmonary abscess. A sputum analysis is a group of tests performed in a laboratory on a sputum specimen obtained from a sick patient. Specimens can be sent through the us postal service using mdch specimen containers. Sputum colour for diagnosis of a bacterial infection in patients with. Significance of sputum color ear, nose, throat, and. Early detection of lung cancer based on sputum color image analysis, 9783330805897, lung cancer continues to rank as the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Sputum is the mucuscontaining material produced by the cells lining the lungs and airways bronchial tubes. After testing for correlation of sputum colour and proof of bacterial infection we calculated sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative.
With bacterial rtis, sputum may also have a thick consistency and an unpleasant odor. To collect a sputum sample, doctors generally have the patient cough deeply and spit into a cup. The kit includes all the reagents needed to process sputum dna including a sputum liquifier to reduce. Bronchial colonisation by potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Sputum color in particular is one of the most commonly described parameters that can point to the type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, lung cancer, and other disorders. Sputum colour and bacteria in chronic bronchitis exacerbations. Laboratory evaluation of sputum to detect certain infections, such as bacterial pneumonia and tuberculosis tb. Sputum is a thick fluid produced in the lungs and in the adjacent airways. The presence of opaque clumps in the sputum sample was also considered while recording sputum colour. The colour of phlegm can show if you have an infection. Essentially, sputum is composed of a mixture of saliva and mucus. One of the most promising techniques for early detection of cancerous cells relies on sputum cell analysis.
Segmentation of sputum color image for lung cancer. Interpretation of sputum colour between the doctor and the patient was reliable intraclass correlation coefficient 0. Sputum colour for diagnosis of a bacterial infection in. A sputum analysis test is one of the most noninvasive test methods currently used to analyze your sputum and determine the causes for your respiratory disorder. A sputum culture requires minimal effort on your part. It can also help identify the causative factors and thereby enable your physician to prescribe a more effective course of treatment. Based on the clients understanding it maybe recommended to collect the specimens 24 hours. However, the color of the sputum can provide only a rough prediction of a possible condition, and in order to reach the right diagnosis, other more specific tests are. Purulent sputum contains pus and is associated with. Obtaining a specimen involves collecting tissue or fluids for laboratory analysis or nearpatient testing, and. Fractional analysis of sequential induced sputum samples during sputum. Sputum microscopy culture, staining, requirements and.
Sputum that is a different color from saliva may be a sign of a lower rti. Youll be asked to cough deeply to bring up the sputum from your lungs. The color of sputum or phlegm, which is the mucus and sometimes pus discharge expectorated from the respiratory tract, is often an indication of the type of respiratory disease that gives rise to sputum production. Sputum is mucus that is coughed up from the lower airways the trachea and bronchi. This mucuslike secretion may become infected, bloodstained, or contain abnormal cells that may lead to a diagnosis 2 3. If a microorganism is found, more testing is done to determine. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with purulent sputum were bacterial colonisation, varicose or cystic bronchiectasis.
Specimens must be at 812 hours apart with one of them being collected the first thing in the morning. Early detection of lung cancer based on sputum color image. The sputum colour chart as a predictor of lung inflammation. A sample of sputum is collected in a sterile, widemouthed, dry, leakproof and breakresistant plasticcontainer and.
Patients with stable copd consecutively recruited over 1 year gave consent to provide a sputum sample for microbiologic analysis. Sputum or phlegm is the mucousy substance secreted by cells in the lower airways bronchi and bronchioles of the respiratory tract. Sputum colour plays an important role in the disease concepts for acute cough, both in the patients and the doctors view. Bacterial colonisation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd contributes to airway inflammation and modulates exacerbations. Sputum examination and analysis linkedin slideshare.
Sputum analysis is used to screen for disease and to monitor patient response to. Outpatient sputum samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory for routine analysis were assigned to one of 8 color categories green, yellowgreen, rust, yellow, red, cream, white, and clear, based on a key made from paint chip color samples. Phlegm comes in many colors and can be an important indicator of what is happening when someone produces it from their lungs or respiratory tract. This study explored the utility of sputum colour in clinically stable patients with bronchiectasis. Heredilab inc, salt lake city, utah, usa as soon as the sample was received in the lab and prior to sputum processing. The final score of 1 and above was considered to accept sputum sample. The sensitivity of yellowish or greenish sputum used as a test for a bacterial infection was 0. This was the motivation behind the design and the development of a new computer aided diagnosis cad system for early.
The optimal cutoff for sputum colour to predict neutrophilic inflammation and nb was determined using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Sputum culture definition of sputum culture by medical. A bacterial infection can reach the lungs in several ways. This kit constitutes an allinone system for the rapid isolation of dna from sputum samples. It differs from saliva, which is produced higher up, in the mouth. Yellowish or greenish colour of the sputum sample and bacterial infection showed a significant correlation p 0. However, it is unclear whether the sputum colour can be used for diagnosis of a bacterial infection. A sputum culture is ordered to detect and diagnose bacterial lower respiratory tract infections such as bacterial pneumonia. Green or yellow versus white sputum colour was associated with a sensitivity of 94.