title: Sampling variability in the microbiological evaluation of expectorated sputa and endotracheal aspirates.
abstract: A five-center study was conducted with the aim of determining how reproducibly expectorated sputa and tracheal aspirates could be sampled when preparing Gram-stained smears and inoculating cultures. With both specimen types, excessive variation was noted among Gram stain results obtained from replicate smears. Less variation was noted among culture results, especially with tracheal aspirates.
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology Division, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagendra
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bourbeau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brecher
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: LaRocco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Doern
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media