esputo

Esputo is the mucus and other material expelled from the respiratory tract during coughing or clearing the throat. In medical literature, the term often corresponds to sputum, though esputo is also used in Spanish and other languages to refer to the same substance. It is distinct from saliva, as esputo originates from the airways and contains cells and secretions produced by the respiratory epithelium.

Composition and appearance vary with health and disease. Typical esputo includes mucus, water, electrolytes, cellular debris, and inflammatory cells such as neutrophils or eosinophils. It may also contain bacteria, fungi, or blood in cases of infection, inflammation, or mild hemoptysis. The microscopic appearance can be mucoid, purulent, or blood-stained, and samples with many squamous epithelial cells from the oropharynx may indicate contamination with saliva.

Collection and handling are crucial for accurate analysis. A sputum sample is usually collected as an early-morning specimen in a sterile container after thorough mouth rinsing. Proper labeling and prompt processing are essential. In the laboratory, esputo can be subjected to Gram stain and culture to identify bacterial pathogens, cytology to screen for malignancy, and molecular tests. Special stains, such as acid-fast staining for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and nucleic acid amplification tests (e.g., GeneXpert) may be employed when infectious etiologies are suspected.

Clinical interpretation hinges on sample quality and results. Purulent or hemorrhagic sputum can indicate infection or inflammation, while a predominance of squamous cells may suggest contamination. Esputo analysis aids in diagnosing respiratory infections, guiding antimicrobial therapy, and, in some contexts, detecting lung malignancies.