Question 1

i had a sputum test and the resulta were as follows - 
few epithelial cells, few white cells.
mixed flora seen on gram stain.  what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Normal: That sounds like a normal sputum smear. Does not rule anything out for sure but the report is normal.

Question 2

how to interpret sputum test results:
few polymorphonuclear cells seen
no squamous epithelial cells seen
mixed bacteria 
commensal flora?

Accepted Answer

Mgt.: There is probably no infection related to this sample, but a culture can be sent to confirm. A cytologic analysis can also be performed to rule out malignancy.

Question 3

hi, i'm 22 yrs old, f. just wanna ask about my sputum results. 1stday: no afb seen, pus cells:few, epithelial cells:few. 2nd day same except pus:rare?

Accepted Answer

Pus cells;WBCs: Pus cells are white blood cells. It is normal to have a few or rare pus cells in a sputum but it would be concerning for infection if there were large numbers of them. AFB are acid fast bacilli and these are a marker for tuberculosis. The results are normal on both days with no sign of infection or AFB. However if they are concerned about TB with you then a sputum culture is needed.

Question 4

what can afb sputum test 2+ mean should his family members  be worried?

Accepted Answer

Yes : A positive AFB 2+ sputum means that there's continued detection of active TB in the lung and thus any unaffected person who continues to be exposed is at risk for transmission.

Question 5

i received results for a sputum sample. they say rare epithelial cells and few neutrophils. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Normal exam: no infection or WBC elevation- generally benign findings.

Question 6

what does mixed flora, and many wbc's and few epithelial cells mean in a sputum culture? i have cvid and interstitial lung disease.

Accepted Answer

Nt that useful: Mixed flora means they were not able to identify a particular organism; basically it can't be used to dictate therapy.

Question 7

what does "no afb seen/300 visual fields" indicate on a sputum test? is that enough to say that the results are negative? thank you.

Accepted Answer

Culture/smear: There can be smear negative TB. The smear results return more quickly than the culture results which are more accurate.

Question 8

how do i get sputum out from my lungs for sputum test for afb?

Accepted Answer

Cough: You need to cough it up; if you are unable to, a nurse or rt can induce sputum by spraying some saline down your airway.

Question 9

i was diagnosed with mild ptb; sputum test is negative of afb strain even before i start taking meds <myrin p forte>. can i infect my 3 mo old baby?

Accepted Answer

Unclear: Do you have tuberculosis or only a positive ppd? Btw, would use term mild tb. If only + ppd, no risk of contagion--take your inh for 9 mos. If you have the disease, there is risk and it can be devasting if the baby gets the disease--life threatening. Clarify your situation with your md asap. Get treated either way.

Question 10

gram stain sputum- presence of few epithelial cells, moderate number of pus cells,few gram positive cocci in chain observed in smear
what does this in?

Accepted Answer

Sputum gram stain: Sputum gram stain testing is not done nearly as often as it once was, since we now know it usually isn't very helpful in diagnosis. The white blood cells (pus cells) suggest infection like bronchitis or pneumonia -- but it's usually possible to judge this just by appearance of the sputum (e.g., yellow or green mucus). Gram pos cocci could be entirely normal bacteria. Discuss with your doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

What does few epithelial cells means in an AFB Sputum test

A member asked:

I had a sputum test and the resulta were as follows - few epithelial cells, few white cells. mixed flora seen on gram stain. what does this mean?

A member asked:

How to interpret sputum test results: few polymorphonuclear cells seen no squamous epithelial cells seen mixed bacteria commensal flora?

A member asked:

Hi, i'm 22 yrs old, f. just wanna ask about my sputum results. 1stday: no afb seen, pus cells:few, epithelial cells:few. 2nd day same except pus:rare?

A member asked:

What can afb sputum test 2+ mean should his family members be worried?

A member asked:

I received results for a sputum sample. they say rare epithelial cells and few neutrophils. what does this mean?

A member asked:

What does mixed flora, and many wbc's and few epithelial cells mean in a sputum culture? i have cvid and interstitial lung disease.

A member asked:

What does "no afb seen/300 visual fields" indicate on a sputum test? is that enough to say that the results are negative? thank you.

A member asked:

How do i get sputum out from my lungs for sputum test for afb?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with mild ptb; sputum test is negative of afb strain even before i start taking meds <myrin p forte>. can i infect my 3 mo old baby?

A member asked:

Gram stain sputum- presence of few epithelial cells, moderate number of pus cells,few gram positive cocci in chain observed in smear what does this in?

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