title: Selection of sputum specimens for microbiological examination.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test with direct microscopy of Gram-stained sputum smears for the demonstration of leucocytes (WBC) and to develop a simple method for selecting specimens suitable for cultural examination. A total of 11% of specimens were demonstrated to be unsuitable for bacteriological examination using the proposed algorithm. It is thought that this technique offers a simple alternative to traditional microscopy alone for screening sputum specimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Rotherham General Hospital NHS Trust, England, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Newall
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013183:Sputum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D011934:Reagent Strips; C021443:leukocyte esterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases