Related Terms: Pulmonary cytology.
Test Includes: Three consecutive first morning deep cough sputum specimens.
Availability: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, Sat, 08:00-12:00; Pathologist on call at all times for consultation.
Special Instructions: Refrigerate sample and send to laboratory immediately. Label container with patient name and specimen date. Alternatively, submit in cytology transport fluid (CytoLyt) at room temperature.
Analytic Time: 1 day.
Causes for Rejection: Unlabeled specimen. Lack of refrigeration or proper transport media. Insufficient demographic or clinical information for processing.
Interpretation: Interpreted by cytopathologist.
Limitations: Lack of pulmonary alveolar macrophages, improper fixation, delay in delivery of specimen resulting in cellular degeneration, or allowing specimen to freeze may lead to specimen rejection or unsatisfactory results.
Special Studies: Specify if patient is immunocompromised and needs evaluation for opportunistic infections [Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly Pneumocystis carinii), fungal organisms, HSV, CMV]. Additional stains and/or microbiology evaluation may be necessary.