Physicochemical properties of human tracheobronchial sputum maintained at room temperature.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect that maintaining tracheobronchial sputum at room temperature has on the analysis of ciliary transport and cough, as well as on the contact angle. METHODS Hyaline sputum was collected from 30 individuals without pulmonary diseases, and purulent sputum was collected from patients with bronchiectasis. The samples were analyzed immediately after collection and again after 24 h. RESULTS After 24 h at room temperature, the purulent sputum presented an increase in cough-induced dislodgment (96 +/- 50 vs. 118 +/- 61 mm) and a decrease in the contact angle (32 +/- 6 vs. 27 +/- 6 degrees) (p < 0.05). For the hyaline sputum, there were no alterations in the parameters analyzed. CONCLUSION Hyaline tracheobronchial sputum can be stored in room temperature for 24 h without presenting alterations in ciliary transport or contact angle. However, purulent sputum should not be stored at room temperature for many hours, since ciliary transport and contact angle might be altered as a result.