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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
13:28
Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
Published on: December 17, 2017
Methodological aspects in the analysis of spontaneously produced sputum
T A Out1, H M Jansen, R Lutter
1Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pulmonary, Academic Medical Center, B1-236, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.a.out@amc.uva.nl
Summary
Analyzing spontaneously produced sputum for airway inflammation is reproducible and non-invasive. This method offers valuable insights for chronic bronchitis (CB), cystic fibrosis (CF), COPD, and asthma patient monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Respiratory Research
- Inflammation Biomarkers
Background:
- Sputum analysis for inflammatory indices is increasingly important for respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis (CB), cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma.
- Spontaneously produced sputum analysis is less common than induced sputum, despite demonstrated reproducibility of collection and assay methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review procedures for collecting, handling, and assaying components in spontaneously produced sputum.
- To evaluate the validity and utility of spontaneously produced sputum analysis for research and patient therapy monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on sputum collection and analysis techniques.
- Assessment of assay reproducibility, solute recovery, linearity, and association with clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Spontaneously produced sputum collection is simple, non-invasive, and reproducible.
- Established assay methods demonstrate reproducibility, linearity, and clinical relevance for inflammatory markers.
Conclusions:
- Spontaneously produced sputum analysis is a valid, reproducible, and non-invasive tool for studying airway inflammation.
- Further efforts should focus on expanding the application of spontaneously produced sputum analysis in clinical practice and research for various respiratory conditions.
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