Culture – Sputum

Background

A sputum culture is often a noninvasive and most useful test in the assessment of lower respiratory tract infections. Sputum samples can be useful in other disease states such as certain cancers; however, sampling is predominately useful for infectious diseases. Obtained sputum can be tested and evaluated via Gram stain, microbiologic culture, and sensitivity testing. These procedures are most frequently performed simultaneously and interpreted together in the evaluation of a sputum sample.