Validation of sputum gram stain and culture for diagnosis of pneumonia in critically iii patient: a retrospective observational study

Authors

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30659/sainsmed.v14i2.32809
Keywords: Gram Stain, Bartlett Score, Semi-Quantitative Score, Chest x-ray, Pneumonia

Abstract

Validation of culture results based on direct gram stain plays a vital role in differentiating pathogens' cause of infection or colonization in pneumonia cases. Our study aims to evaluate the validation of diagnostic microbiology based on gram stain and culture compared to chest radiography in critically ill patients with suspected pneumonia. This was a single-center retrospective data analysis in the Intensive Care Unit at Secondary Care Hospital in Central Java. The quality of sputum was determined by using a Modification Criteria of Bartlett and a Semi-Quantitative Score. The results of sputum culture with neutrophils count > 10 and bacterial count > 2 per field in Gram stain were considered the presumptive pathogen. Seventy sputum specimens were collected; however, only 58 were selected for further analysis in this study. In sputum specimens with Bartlett score +2 and Semi-Quantitave score 3 or 4, the chest x-ray results of all patients had positive infiltrates (100%). Diagnostics accuracy of the results of clinical microbiologist examination with chest X-ray had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 60.71 %, accuracy of 65.5%, a positive predictive value of 61.36%, a negative predictive value of 78.6%. It was concluded that validation of diagnostic microbiology based on gram stain and culture had susceptible and adequately specific results to differentiate between presumptive pathogens from colonization in pneumonia cases.

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Author Biographies

  • Rahayu Rahayu, Sultan Agung Islamic University

    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung – Sultan Agung Islamic Teaching Hospital, Central Java, Indonesia

  • Masfiyah Masfiyah, Sultan Agung Islamic University
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung – Sultan Agung Islamic Teaching Hospital, Central Java, Indonesia
  • Dewi Intisari, Sultan Agung Islamic University
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung – Sultan Agung Islamic Teaching Hospital, Central Java, Indonesia
  • Indri Hapsari Putri, Sultan Agung Islamic University
    Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung – Sultan Agung Islamic Teaching Hospital, Central Java, Indonesia
  • M. Adam Hibatullah, Sultan Agung Islamic University

    Student of Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, Central Java, Indonesia

How to Cite

Rahayu, R., Masfiyah, M., Intisari, D., Putri, I. H., & Hibatullah, M. A. (2023). Validation of sputum gram stain and culture for diagnosis of pneumonia in critically iii patient: a retrospective observational study. Sains Medika: Jurnal Kedokteran Dan Kesehatan, 14(2), 44-51. https://doi.org/10.30659/sainsmed.v14i2.32809

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