6.1 : 痰液检查 I：革兰氏染色、细胞学检查、抗酸涂片和培养

Sputum studies are key in diagnosing respiratory issues, identifying pathogens, and detecting cancer cells. The three crucial sputum studies include Gram stain, Cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture.

The Gram stain sputum study classifies bacteria into gram-negative and gram-positive types through staining.

Next, Cytology looks for abnormal, potentially cancerous cells, generally using a single sputum sample in a fixative solution.

Lastly, the Acid-fast study, requiring three early-morning samples, identifies acid-fast bacilli like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Sputum samples can be collected through expectoration, tracheal suction, or bronchoscopy.

To collect sputum, patients are advised to cough up mucoid sputum deeply, ideally in the morning after cleaning their mouth, as secretions build up overnight.

For tracheostomy patients, sputum is obtained by suctioning tracheal secretions.

If the sample cannot be collected, bronchoscopy is used.

After collecting the sputum, the container is covered and sent to the laboratory for analysis.