Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: To analysis of sputum gram staining and culture in individuals suffering from lower respiratory tract infections. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in Department of Microbiology. A total of 150 sputum samples were processed during the study period. Repeated sputum samples from the same patient and samples received from paediatric age group were excluded from this study. Gram staining and culture were done for all the 150 sputum samples. Gram stained sputum smears were observed under microscope for presence of organisms, pus cells and epithelial cells. Results: Based on Bartlett’s screening criteria, out of 150 sputum samples processed, 90 (60%) were acceptable and 60(40%) were non-acceptable. Potential pathogens were obtained from 100 of 150 samples, of which 75 are from acceptable samples (83.33%), and 25 are from non- acceptable samples(41.67%). Most common isolates obtained were Klebsiella pneumoniae-32%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa- 15% and Staphylococcus aureus - 14%. In this study authors recommended to receive good quality of sputum and do initial sputum screening for diagnosing clinically relevant LRTIs. Conclusion: The most prevalent isolates found were Klebsiella pneumoniae, accounting for 32% of the total, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 15% and Staphylococcus aureus at 14%. This research suggests obtaining high-quality sputum samples and doing initial sputum screening as a means of detecting clinically significant lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).