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Table 3 Success in yielding sputum from 364 patients with the 2 techniques used and the microbiological results obtained

From: Microbial yield from physiotherapy assisted sputum production in respiratory outpatients

 

Physiotherapy techniques (%)

Induced sputum (%)

Totals (%)

Total number patients treated

239

125*

364

Unable to procure sputum from patient

8 (3)a

3 (2)a

353 (97

Sputum induction discontinued due to adverse effects

0

3 (2)b

3 (1)

Positive bacterial and/or fungal culture

76 (32)

29 (23)

105 (30)

Positive Aspergillus PCR

54 (23 %)

28 (22 %)

82 (23)

Strongly positive Aspergillus PCR (Ct <36)

41 (76 %)

18 (64 %)

58 (16)

Aspergillus cultured

13 (5 %)

3 (2 %)

16 (5)

Hyphae consistent with Aspergillus spp. seen on sputum microscopy

11 (5 %)

7 (6 %)

18 (5)

  1. * 1 patient required N-acetylcysteine. a patient declined; b patients wheezy
  2. PCR polymerase chain reaction