Bronchitis laboratory tests
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Bronchitis Main page |
Overview
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (medium-size airways) in the lungs. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may present as cough with sputum that last several days or weeks (10 days). Other symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and sore throat can also be found. Chronic bronchitis is not necessarily caused by infection and is generally part of a syndrome called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); it is defined clinically as a persistent cough that produces sputum (phlegm) and mucus, for at least three months in two consecutive years. In late stages, the disease may present with blue discoloration of body (cyanosis) and difficulty in breathing (dyspnea).
Antigen testing and Serological markers
Rapid antigen and serological tests have limited availability and are costly. However, it can be used to as an adjunct to diagnosis in certain conditions like:
- The suspected organism is treatable
- A epidemic with the pathogen is suspected (influenza).
- Patient has typical presentation suggestive of pathogen. the infection is known to be circulating in the community, and the patient has suggestive symptoms or signs (e.g., testing for influenza during influenza season in patients with cough and fever)
Other tests
- A sputum sample showing neutrophil granulocytes (inflammatory white blood cells) and culture
- A blood test would indicate inflammation (as indicated by a raised white blood cell count and elevated C-reactive protein).
- Damage caused by irritation of the airways leads to inflammation and leads to neutrophils being present
- A chest X-ray that reveals hyperinflation; collapse and consolidation of lung areas would support a diagnosis of pneumonia. Some conditions that predispose to bronchitis may be indicated by chest radiography.