Mycobacteria were isolated from the respiratory specimen of 115 hospital admissions.

MTB was isolated from respiratory specimens in 40 hospital admissions of 35 patients.

MAC was isolated from respiratory specimens in 51 hospital admissions of 38 patients.

M gordonae was isolated from respiratory specimens in 11 hospital admissions of 11 patients and M kansasii in 10 hospital admissions of 9 patients.

The growth of S. maltophilia in microbiological cultures of respiratory or urinary specimens is therefore sometimes difficult to interpret and not a proof of infection.

Therefore, routine screening of respiratory or gastrointestinal specimens for MAC is not recommended (DIII).

First isolated from a lymph node of an immunocompromised child and subsequently from tap water and from a respiratory specimen of a patient with chronic fibrosis.

The sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests to detect 2009 H1N1 virus in respiratory specimens ranges from 10% to 70%, and therefore false negative results occur frequently.

In contrast, cultures of respiratory specimens are frequently positive in cases of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis in adults.

The harmful or potentially harmful bacteria are also detected routinely in respiratory specimens.