Types of colour of sputum

Colour of the Sputum

a. Green or yellow coloured thick sputum indicates

bacterial infections. The green colour to sputum is

imparted by the enzyme myeloperoxidase (verdo￾peroxidase)

b. Black coloured sputum is present in coal worker’s

pneumoconiosis

c. Rusty sputum is present in pneumococcal pneu￾monia

d. Red currant jelly sputum is seen in Klebsiella

pneumonia

e. Pink frothy sputum is present in pulmonary oedema

f. Blood stained sputum is present in tuberculosis

g. Anchovy sauce sputum is present in ruptured

amoebic liver abscess.