title: Diagnosis of bacterial infections of the lung.
abstract: This report reviews basic principles behind the choice of specimens in the identification of respiratory bacterial pathogens. It then reviews the major bacterial pathogens and specific specimen sources, covering the strong points, drawbacks, and controversies surrounding the various diagnostic techniques such as sputum Gram stain and culture, transtracheal aspiration, transthoracic needle aspiration, and bronchoscopy.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013396:Suction