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. 2005 Mar 1;18(4):809–827. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2004.08.002

Table 1.

Quality of sputum sample

Reference Method Minimum criteria
18 SEC/LPF <10 SEF
19 PMNs/LPF >25 PMN
1 SEC/LPF <25 SEC
20 SEC: PMNs ratio >10 PMN/SEC
21 SEC + bacteria <10 SEC + bacteria

Abbreviation: SEC, squamous epithelial cells.