1. Comparison of findings in sputum and saliva (inadequate sample)
Comparison of findings in sputum and saliva (inadequate sample). A: True sputum should show an abundance of inflammatory cells and no squamous epithelial cells. In acute bacterial pneumonia, large numbers of a single organism are usually present. This Gram smear shows large numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and Streptococcus pneumoniae. B: Saliva typically contains squamous epithelial cells and a mixed bacterial population. (Reproduced, with permission, from Ryan KJ [editor]. Sherris Medical Microbiology: An Introduction to Infectious Diseases, 3rd ed. Originally published by Appleton & Lange. Copyright © 1994 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.)
Source: Pulmonary Disorders, Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2017
Citation: Papadakis MA, McPhee SJ, Rabow MW. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2017; 2016 Available at: Accessed: October 07, 2017
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