Sputum Collection Method for Tuberculosis

(Acid-Fast Bacterium) Testing

Procedure for Sputum expectoration
* Because there is a risk of contagion, sputum collection should be performed
in a room with no other people, and secure good ventilation (natural of
machinery).
 Collect sputum when the patient wakes up in the morning.
 Relax the patient and take a deep breath.
 Expectorate sputum with a vigorous cough.
 Collect sputum as much as possible in the designated container (at least 2mL).
 Check whether you succeeded in collecting “good sputum (sputum with pus)”.
 Close the cap of the container tightly and submit the sample for testing as soon as possible. If you
cannot submit it right away, please store it in a refrigerator (up to 72 hours).
* If the sample is left in a warm place (at room temperature or above) for a long period of time, sundry bacteria will proliferate, and
it may not be possible to obtain an accurate result.
* If testing is performed solely by the nucleic acid amplification method, frozen storage of the samples (-20˚C) is also possible.
* Do not freeze the sample if culture tests are to be performed.

Examples of sputum – Good and Poor

Good sputum Poor sputum
* The good sputum is to be fresh with much purulent part. * It will be difficult to expect highly sensitive result with these types of sputum.

Purulent sputum with Saliva or sputum

purulent part accounting consisting completely of
for 1/3 or less*1 mucous*1

Purulent sputum with Mucous sputum containing

purulent part accounting a small amount of purulent
for 1/3 to 2/3*1 sputum*1

Bloody sputum
Purulent sputum with (Haemosputum)
purulent part accounting
for 2/3 or more*1*
(Ha

*1: Miller & Jones classification

Editorial supervision: Prof. Satoshi Mitarai, Head, Department of Mycobacterium Reference and Research, Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-tuberculosis
Association

Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. 8120 AK2MK

Created March 2014
143 Nogi, Nogi-machi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture 329-0114