plwociny

Plwociny, or plwocina in singular form, are sputum or mucus expectorated from the lower respiratory tract. They are commonly collected in pulmonology and infectious disease settings to help diagnose respiratory conditions and to monitor treatment responses.

Composition and appearance can vary. Plwociny typically contain mucus produced by respiratory epithelium, but may also include inflammatory cells, cellular debris, microorganisms, blood, and mucus plugs. The content and color can reflect the underlying process, with purulent sputum suggesting bacterial infection and clear or white sputum often seen in viral infections or noninfectious conditions.

Collection and laboratory analysis are central to their clinical use. Sputum samples are usually obtained by coughing or, in some cases, by sputum induction. They are processed in microbiology laboratories for Gram staining, culture, cytology, and increasingly molecular tests such as PCR to identify bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, or viral pathogens. The quality of a sputum sample is judged by factors including its purity (relative proportion of oral squamous cells) and the presence of inflammatory cells, since contamination with saliva can hinder accurate results. Transport and storage guidelines emphasize timely handling and appropriate containment to prevent contamination and decline in sample integrity.

Clinical significance is broad. Positive sputum findings can confirm infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, or bronchiectasis exacerbations, while negative results do not rule out disease and may require additional testing. Plwociny analysis thus provides both diagnostic and monitoring value in respiratory medicine, within the constraints of sample quality and test sensitivity.