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What is bronchial sample collection?
20 November 2025
A bronchial or respiratory sample collection is a laboratory procedure used to identify pathogens causing various types of respiratory tract infections. The samples are collected using different techniques, and once taken, they must be properly preserved, transported, and processed for laboratory analysis.
The results of the analysis will help identify the microorganism causing the infectious process, whether it’s bacteria, fungi, or viruses. To complement this, a culture can be performed to determine the pathogen’s sensitivity to various drugs, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Bronchial sample collection is also used to detect cancer, COVID-19, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other conditions.
Types of Techniques for Bronchial Sample Collection
There are several techniques for collecting bronchial samples, the main ones being:
- Tracheal Aspirate Sputum: Samples are suctioned through an endotracheal aspiration tube.
- Spontaneous Sputum: The first expectorated sample of the morning.
- Induced Sputum: The patient is asked to expectorate after inhaling a saline solution.
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage: Using a fiber bronchoscope, a saline solution is administered into the bronchial tree, and the samples are aspirated.
- Bronchial Lavage: The same procedure as bronchoalveolar lavage is performed, but only in the upper bronchial tree.
- Mini-BAL: A catheter is inserted as far as possible into the bronchial tree, a saline solution is administered, and the samples are aspirated.
- Transbronchial Biopsy: Using a bronchoscope and forceps, and guided by fluoroscopic vision, the necessary peribronchial or alveolar samples are extracted.
Bronchial sample collection is indicated for chronic cough, bloody expectoration, difficulty breathing, or when a patient has autoimmune disorders like HIV/AIDS and others that increase the risk of developing respiratory infections.
In the Pulmonary Physiology and Inhalation Therapy department, we have expert respiratory therapists who have the knowledge and skills to perform their work with the support of the most advanced technology in pulmonary function tests, metabolic monitoring, and video bronchoscopy.
Related Centers and Departments:
Pulmonary Physiology and Inhalation Therapy
Cardiovascular Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory
Fuentes:
- msdmanuals.com
- pao.org
- medicina-intensiva.cl
- elsevier.es
- medlineplus.gov
- medigraphic.org
- González-Losada C, González-Lodeiro LG, Beato CAI, et al. Fiabilidad de los hisopos CNEURO para la recogida de muestras en el diagnóstico del SARS-CoV-2. Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2022;21(1):1-7.
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The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.
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