What Does This Sputum Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 25 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 Answered on

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : PATIENT is 63yr. cough from 2weeks with sputum.tests done. sputum report says growth of commensal flora of upper respiratory tract,10-25 epithelial cells,>25 pus cells/LPF,numerous gram positive cocci seen in tetrads and long chains. moderate gram positive bacilli. chest radiograph is normal. what does that mean?

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It means that she could be suffering from upper respiratory tract infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting your query on HCM.

The sputum report suggests that she could be suffering from upper respiratory tract infection ie infection in the throat, pharynx, larynx, nose etc.Spme infection may have gone down to lower respiratory tract also but not much because the chest x-ray is normal. She may need a course of antibiotics and other symptomatic. You should consult a local doctor for the choice of antibiotics and the dosage.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy