SPECIMEN COLLECTION

Question 1

primarily requested to diagnose group A
streptococcal infection (Streptococcus pyogenes)

Answer 1

Throat cultures

Question 2

are

suitable for collecting most URT microorganisms

Answer 2

Dacron/Calcium alginate-tipped swabs

Question 3

Preferred for the:
dx of pertusssis
dx of middle ear infections (rarely)
Identification of asymptomatic
carrier state of S. aureus and N.
meningitidis

Answer 3

Nasopharynx

Question 4

is cultured by
guiding a swab through the nasal
septum until the posterior pharynx
is reached

Answer 4

Nasopharynx

Question 5

for the dx of bronchitis or pneumonia caused by:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia species,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, anaerobes and fungi

Answer 5

Lower RT

Question 6

It is important to obtain deep cough
secretions (to avoid too much contamination from saliva). A saline
gargle may enhance sputum collection.

Answer 6

Specimen: Sputum.

Question 7

assessment of the quality of sputum samples;

the number of PMNs and epithelial cells per LPF are enumerated;

sputum scores of zero or less indicate a lack of inflammation or the
presence of saliva

Answer 7

Bartlett’s Classification