USE of leucocyte- esterase as a means of Testing suitability of sputum specimens forlaboratory examination

The study has strived to compare the leucocyte-esterase stripe activity on sputum samples with gram-stained direct smear microscopy. This is for the demonstration of white blood cells (WBCs) and so to develop a simple method for selecting suitable sputum samples for cultural examination and laboratory diagnosis.. A total of 17(34.0%) out of 50 samples studied were shown to be unsuitable for microbiological examination and for identification of mycobacterial infection. Sputa of patients between the ages of20-29 years old were found to be more positive by demonstrating more WBCs and squamous epithelial cells (SECs). We believe this technique should offer an alternative to the conventional direct smear microscopy used for examining patient's sputa in our hospital laboratories.