Sputum culture in the community setting: Old habits versus the guidelines

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From the lab

Sputum culture in the community setting: Old habits versus the guidelines

31 March 2021

By Michael Addidle

Wednesday 31 March 2021, 12:20 AM

Infective exacerbations of COPD in the community generally do not require sputum culture

Ordering sputum culture for community-acquired pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other common conditions requires careful consideration – the pitfalls are plenty

Key points, There are inherent difficulties in obtaining good-quality sputum samples for culture, which impact on its sensitivity and specificity and create probl

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References

García-Vázquez E, Marcos MA, Mensa J, et al. Assessment of the usefulness of sputum culture for diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia using the PORT predictive scoring system. Arch Internal Med 2004;164(16):1807–11.
van der Eerden MM, Vlaspolder F, de Graaff CS, et al. Value of intensive diagnostic microbiological investigation in low- and high-risk patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2005;24(4):241–49.
Shariatzadeh MR, Marrie TJ. Does sputum culture affect the management and/or outcome of community-acquired pneumonia? East Mediterr Health J 2009;15(4):792–99.
Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019;200(7):e45–67.
Lim WS, Baudouin SV, George RC, et al. BTS guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in adults: Update 2009. Thorax 2009;64(Suppl 3):iii1-55.
Lung Foundation Australia. The COPD-X Plan: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2020, version 2.62. October 2020. copdx.org.au
Hancox RJ, Jones S, Baggott C, et al. New Zealand COPD Guidelines: Quick Reference Guide. N Z Med J 2021;134(1530):76–110.
Hill T, Sullivan AL, Chalmers AD, et al. British Thoracic Society Guideline for bronchiectasis in adults. Thorax 2019;74(Suppl 1):1–69.

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