Lower Respiratory Culture, Other Than Expectorated Sputum

Casandra

Casandra Test Code LC10983Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab LabcorpLab Test ID 180815CPT Code 87070

Lower Respiratory Culture, Other Than Expectorated Sputum

Also known as: Bronchial Lavage Culture, Bronchoscopy, Transtracheal Aspirate Culture, Lung Tissue Culture

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

The Lower Respiratory Culture, Other Than Expectorated Sputum test is used for the isolation and identification of aerobic bacteria considered pathogenic in the lower respiratory tract. This test is crucial for diagnosing bacterial infections in the lower respiratory tract, except those of expectorated sputum. It helps guide appropriate antibiotic treatment by determining the presence of specific pathogens.

Special Instructions

Sputum specimens should not be cultured under this test number as it does not include a Gram stain evaluation. Use test number 182352 Gram Stain Evaluation With Sputum Culture Reflex for sputum culture. Potential pathogens recovered by usual culture methods include Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and others. Clinical suspicion of certain difficult-to-isolate agents should be communicated to the laboratory for specialized tests.

Limitations

In bronchoscopy and aspirated specimens, reduction of contamination can be achieved by positioning adjustments and using specific collection tools such as a telescoping double catheter. A high frequency of false positives, around 25%, can occur. Bronchial washings may be diluted with bacteriostatic antiseptics or irrigating solutions. If anaerobic bacteria are suspected, a separate specimen should be submitted for anaerobic culture. Some pathogens require special laboratory measures to be isolated, and their presence should be communicated to the laboratory.

Test Details