Normal Flora with Elevated Neutrophils
The absence of pathogenic bacterial growth coupled with inflammatory cells often indicates a viral etiology typical of most bronchitis cases.
Description
The patient coughs deeply to produce mucus from the lower respiratory tract, which is placed on a nutrient-rich agar plate. Originating from early microbiology practices developed by Robert Koch, the sample is incubated to allow pathogens to grow. Healthcare providers then analyze the growth to determine the specific cause of infection.