Sputum ismucus that is coughed up from the lower airways (thetrachea andbronchi). In medicine, sputum samples are usually used for a naked-eye examination, microbiological investigation of respiratory infections, andcytological investigations of respiratory system.
A naked eye exam of the sputum can be done at home by a patient in order to note the various colors (see below). Any hint of yellow or green color (pus) suggests an airway infection (but does not indicate the type of organism causing it). Such color hints are best detected when the sputum is viewed against a bright white background, such as white paper, a white pot, or a white sink surface.
Having green, yellow, or thickened phlegm (sputum) does not always indicate the presence of an infection. Also, if an infection is present, the color of the phlegm (sputum) does not determine whether a virus, a bacterium or another pathogen has caused it. Simple allergies can also cause changes in the color of mucus.[1]
The best sputum samples contain very littlesaliva,[2] as saliva contaminates the sample with oralbacteria. This is especially true for samples for laboratory testing incytology ormicrobiology. Specimen adequacy is assessed by the laboratory technologists by examining aGram stain or cytology stain of the sputum. More than 25squamous epithelial cells at low power magnification exam under the microscope strongly suggest salivary contamination.[3] Sputum samples have been used to quantify the degree of airway inflammation in human diseases such as asthma. Specifically, this work has demonstrated that a subgroup of severe asthma patients has airway inflammation that is resistant to treatment with corticosteroids.[4]
Blood-streaked sputum –an indicator of possible inflammation of the throat (larynx and/or trachea) or bronchi;lung cancer; other bleeding erosions, ulcers, or tumors of the lower airway.
Pink sputum – it indicates sputum evenly mixed with blood fromalveoli and/or small peripheral bronchi as is seen in potentialpulmonary edema.
Red, jelly-like sputum - an indicator of possible pneumonia caused byKlebsiella.
Green or greenish colored - indicative of potential longstanding respiratory infection (green from degenerative changes in cell debris) as in pneumonia, ruptured lung abscess, chronic infectious bronchitis, and infected bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis.
Yellow, yellowishpurulent – an indicator of the sample containing pus. "The sputum color of patients with acute cough and no underlying chronic lung disease does not imply therapeutic consequences such as prescription of antibiotics."[7] The color can provide hints as to effective treatment in chronic bronchitis patients:[8]
A yellow-greenish (mucopurulent) color suggests that treatment with antibiotics can reduce symptoms. The green color is caused by degenerating neutrophilverdoperoxidase.
Whitish gray sputum color against a white color background (such as a white sink surface) tends to indicate either a specimen from someone who is dehydrated, and/or from an older person, and/or a specimen with a mixed, modest number of eosinophils and maybe some acute inflammatory neutrophil cells (this last choice tends to suggest chronic allergic bronchitis).
A white, milky, or opaque (mucoid) appearance means that antibiotics are less likely to be effective in treatment because the likelihood is greater of a viral infection or allergy than of antibiotic-responsive micro-organisms. Thickness may indicate asthma.
Frothy pink – may indicate more severepulmonary edema. Antibiotics may not be necessary at this time.
Clear – pulmonaryembolism (clear to frothy); COPDchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (clear to gray); viral respiratory infection (clear to whitish and sometimes a hint of yellow);asthma (thick and white to yellowish).
