Effect of storage and postage on recovery and quantitation of bacteria in sputum samples.

AIMS The aims of the study were to compare bacterial recovery following storage of sputum samples at 20 degrees C room temperature and 4 degrees C (refrigerated) for 24 h, and to determine the effect of postage on viable bacterial numbers. METHODS A total of 38 individual sputum samples from clinically stable patients with bronchiectasis were split into three equal aliquots and quantitative bacterial culture was performed (i) immediately, (ii) following storage at 4 degrees C for 24 h or (iii) following storage at 20 degrees C for 24 h. A further 42 sputum samples were split into two equal aliquots and quantitative bacterial culture was performed either immediately or following postage back to the laboratory by first-class mail from an outside location. RESULTS The predominant organism could still be recovered following storage at 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C, but viable numbers were significantly reduced following storage at 4 degrees C (p