1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Sputum collection - what's correct?

Posted by fdixon63 @fdixon63, Aug 16 9:44am

I've been diagnosed for almost 6 years for MAC, Bronchiectasis, Pseudomonas (colonized) and most recently M Abscessus. Of course I've submitted sputum as much as possible. My question, is it OK to open the container, spit the sputum in, close it and if it seems too pale in color, open it and spit more in the container? I get frustrated because maybe 15 mins there is a better, darker sputum that I feel would give a more clear picture of my current condition but I only have maybe one sputum cup so I have to go with what I have. I go to the lab personally to turn in the sample and ask for more cups they only give me one. URG!! Does anyone have knowledge if the lighter sputum is submitted, would it reflect what I later see in a darker sputum? Thanks.

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | Aug 16 10:55am

Its ok to give another mucous specimen if you dont think its enough. The light colored mucous could just be nasopharygeal normal flora.
Best to give greenish mucous plug if possible. Keep container in fridge just for 1 day. Take to lab as soon as you can.

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Aug 16 10:59am

I've added more to the culture cup and it hasn't been rejected. More is better and mucus should at least cover the bottom of collection cup. The instructions I got were to get first morning secretions as deep as possible. It takes some work to get the deep stuff out so I know what you mean. One would think that the lighter stuff would show all what's growing in lungs but maybe MAC etc is only in certain places in lungs (nodules, cavities). Sometimes bronchoscopy is recommended to collect those deep samples if the standard sputum sample doesn't pick up anything. That, coupled with ongoing symptoms. Had you had issues with having cultures rejected or otherwise?

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2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 16 12:16pm
In reply to @mariegrace "Its ok to give another mucous specimen if you dont think its enough. The light colored..." + (show)
@mariegrace

Its ok to give another mucous specimen if you dont think its enough. The light colored mucous could just be nasopharygeal normal flora.
Best to give greenish mucous plug if possible. Keep container in fridge just for 1 day. Take to lab as soon as you can.

Jump to this post

Some people only have clear mucus and no plugs to offer. But when I have such samples, they have always been enough for screening

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | Aug 17 9:46am
In reply to @scoop "I've added more to the culture cup and it hasn't been rejected. More is better and..." + (show)
@scoop

I've added more to the culture cup and it hasn't been rejected. More is better and mucus should at least cover the bottom of collection cup. The instructions I got were to get first morning secretions as deep as possible. It takes some work to get the deep stuff out so I know what you mean. One would think that the lighter stuff would show all what's growing in lungs but maybe MAC etc is only in certain places in lungs (nodules, cavities). Sometimes bronchoscopy is recommended to collect those deep samples if the standard sputum sample doesn't pick up anything. That, coupled with ongoing symptoms. Had you had issues with having cultures rejected or otherwise?

Jump to this post

Yes I have because there were no clear instructions.
Fill bottom of cup as much as you can.

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fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Aug 17 7:26pm
In reply to @scoop "I've added more to the culture cup and it hasn't been rejected. More is better and..." + (show)
@scoop

I've added more to the culture cup and it hasn't been rejected. More is better and mucus should at least cover the bottom of collection cup. The instructions I got were to get first morning secretions as deep as possible. It takes some work to get the deep stuff out so I know what you mean. One would think that the lighter stuff would show all what's growing in lungs but maybe MAC etc is only in certain places in lungs (nodules, cavities). Sometimes bronchoscopy is recommended to collect those deep samples if the standard sputum sample doesn't pick up anything. That, coupled with ongoing symptoms. Had you had issues with having cultures rejected or otherwise?

Jump to this post

scoop - No rejected sputums but when I get a negative results, I feel it's not a correct picture of my infections. A month later it will be MAC, pseudomonas, etc. It just does not add up.

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Aug 17 9:21pm
In reply to @fdixon63 "scoop - No rejected sputums but when I get a negative results, I feel it's not..." + (show)
@fdixon63

scoop - No rejected sputums but when I get a negative results, I feel it's not a correct picture of my infections. A month later it will be MAC, pseudomonas, etc. It just does not add up.

Jump to this post

That is frustrating. So if I understand correctly, sometimes you have negative cultures and other times they are positive?

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1 reply
fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Aug 18 7:40am
In reply to @scoop "That is frustrating. So if I understand correctly, sometimes you have negative cultures and other times..." + (show)
@scoop

That is frustrating. So if I understand correctly, sometimes you have negative cultures and other times they are positive?

Jump to this post

scoop. Yes. The first time it happened I was elated that I was rid of these bacterium but alas that was not the case. In a few months I cultured MAC and 4+ pseudomonas while still doing airway clearance. I found out that pseudomonas can colonize so I'll always be fighting it. We have to be strong and keep doing everything we can to control, (push down) this enemy. I hope that's not overly dramatic but... Blessing on you all.

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | Aug 18 9:16am

Has anyone felt SOB during the night??

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