A sputum sample is obtained by coughing deeply and expelling the
material that comes from the lungs into a sterile cup. The sample
is taken to a labarotory and placed in a medium under conditions
that allow the organisms to grow. A positive culture may identify
disease-producing organisms that may help diagnose bronchitis,
tuberculosis, a lung abscess, or pneumonia.
Review Date: 10/15/2009
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, MD, Infectious Disease, Maryland Family Care,
Lutherville, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
