Chapter 13: Diagnostic tests
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Specimen collection: respiratory tract secretion sampling
Definition
Obtaining a specimen from the respiratory tract is important in diagnosing various illnesses, infections and conditions, such as tuberculosis and lung cancer (Chernecky and Berger [32], Guest [78], Pagana and Pagana [177]). A sample can be obtained invasively or non‐invasively and the correct technique will enable a representative sample to identify respiratory tract pathology and to guide treatment.
