Culture from Epipharynx of Little Value in Bacterial Pneumonia

Abstract
In 75 patients with acute pneumonia of moderate severity a comparative study between transtracheal aspiration (TTA), sputum culture and epipharynx culture was carried out. Organisms considered as the probable etiological agent were found in 53 % with TTA. The same organisms were found in only 27 % in sputum samples and in 21 % in epipharynx samples. No serious complications with TTA was noted.