In this section
Sputum Collection
Use wide-necked pots with screw-on lids. For most purposes an uncontaminated early morning or post-physiotherapy specimen is preferred. Saliva is not suitable.
Culture of non-purulent material is not helpful as mouth flora inevitably predominates. Inadequate specimens will be discarded. For M. tuberculosis and fungal culture, at least three early morning specimens are required.
