Cough plate versus cough swab in patients with cystic fibrosis; a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Accurate identification of lower respiratory tract pathogens is important in the management of cystic fibrosis patients. AIM To evaluate the cough plate as an alternative method of obtaining respiratory samples for microbiological culture. METHODS AND RESULTS Using sputum culture as the "gold standard", the cough plate method identified significantly more positive cases than either dry or moistened cough swabs. Of 20 patients who had a positive sputum culture, 16 had a positive culture on cough plate compared to seven positive cultures each on moistened swab and on dry swab respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this study cough plates were more sensitive than cough swabs in isolating respiratory pathogens in sputum producers. As patients prefer it, the cough plate merits further evaluation, particularly in non-sputum producers.