Aspiration pneumonia laboratory tests
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]
Overview
While chest X-ray and pulse oximetry are routine tests among all patients with suspected aspiration pneumonia, additional laboratory tests (such as blood culture and gram sputum, sputum blood culture and gram stain) are optional tests unless their results might alter the treatment plan.
Laboratory Tests
Routine Tests
Findings in routine blood tests are based on the severity of the disease and the cause, they can include the following:[1]
- Leukocytosis with left shift (in cases of bacterial pneumonia)
- Leukopenia (in cases of atypical pneumonia)
- Eosinophilia (in cases of eosinophilic pneumonia)
- Anemia
- Hyponatremia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Elevated BUN
- Findings of lactic acidosis (decreased HCO3, increased lactic acid levels)
- ABG: may show hypoxia and/or hypercapnea
Sputum Gram Stain and Culture
- Sputum samples should be obtained in all patients with productive cough.
- Gram-stain and culture should be performed to assess the causative agent and guide the therapy.
- In approximately 80% of cases of pneumococcal pneumonia the sputum culture is positive.[2]
- However, the general yield of a sputum sample does not exceed 50-60%.
References
- ↑ Solomon, Caren G.; Wunderink, Richard G.; Waterer, Grant W. (2014). "Community-Acquired Pneumonia". New England Journal of Medicine. 370 (6): 543–551. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1214869. ISSN 0028-4793.
- ↑ Musher, Daniel M.; Thorner, Anna R. (2014). "Community-Acquired Pneumonia". New England Journal of Medicine. 371 (17): 1619–1628. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1312885. ISSN 0028-4793.