What does mixed flora mean in sputum?

What does mixed flora mean in sputum?

Abstract. “Mixed flora” is a commonly returned result yielding not in either indication for therapy or identification of potential causative organisms. We sought to determine whether mixed flora (MF) was in fact a harbinger of impending pneumonia or a benign result that could be therapeutically ignored.

What is normal flora in sputum?

The presence of normal upper respiratory tract flora should be expected in sputum culture. Normal respiratory flora include Neisseria catarrhalis, Candida albicans, diphtheroids, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, and some staphylococci.

What does normal respiratory flora mean?

That means that when a person has a bacterial respiratory infection, there will typically be harmless bacteria that are normally present in the mouth, throat, etc. ( normal flora) as well as disease-causing (pathogenic) bacteria present.

Is Enterococcus normal flora in sputum?

The isolates of Enterococcus from throat swabs, sputum, vaginal swabs and stool were excluded from the study, as they formed a part of the normal flora [4].

What does growth of mixed flora mean?

Because “mixed flora”* implies that at least 2 organisms are present in addition to the identified organism, the urine culture does not meet the criteria for a positive urine culture with 2 organisms or less.

Is mixed growth in urine an infection?

Early species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of each urinary isolate may be of paramount benefit to the care of these patients. We believe that in properly collected urine samples, multiple growth often represents true mixed infection and should therefore be completely evaluated.

What is the purpose of having flora in the respiratory tract?

Like all human skin and mucosal surfaces, the respiratory tract is colonized with commensal bacteria that protect the host from disease, increase epithelial cell renewal rates, and promote production of mucosal immunoglobulins.

What are the most important normal flora that found on the skin?

Normal Flora of Skin

• Staphylococcus epidermidis. S.
• Staphylococcus aureus. The nose and perineum are the most common sites for S.
• Micrococci.
• Diphtheroids (Coryneforms)
• Streptococci.
• Gram-Negative Bacilli.
• Nail Flora.

What does mixed flora mean in a urine test?

Because “mixed flora”* implies that at least 2 organisms are present in addition to the identified organism, the urine culture does not meet the criteria for a positive urine culture with 2 organisms or less. Such a urine culture cannot be used to meet the NHSN UTI criteria.

What kind of flora is found in sputum culture?

The presence of normal upper respiratory tract flora should be expected in sputum culture. Normal respiratory flora include Neisseria catarrhalis, Candida albicans, diphtheroids, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, and some staphylococci. Next:

When to use a Sputum Gram culture for pneumonia?

Sputum Gram stain and culture are indicated for all patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia. Contamination with oral flora may invalidate results. Specimen collection after antibiotic therapy has been initiated may result in inhibited or no growth of organisms.

Is it normal to have mixed upper respiratory tract flora?

“Mixed upper respiratory tract flora” is normal and does not usually need treatment. Common bacteria likely to cause pneumonias include: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza and Moraxella catarrhalis. Susceptibility If the patient is taking an antibiotic to which the bacteria are reported as resistant (R) or

What is the significance of urine culture with mixed flora?

The significance of urine culture with mixed flora Urine cultures that contain more than one organism are usually considered contaminated. The frequency with which such growth truly represents mixed infection is unknown. Surprisingly few studies have evaluated the clinical significance of polymicrobial growth from urine.