Abstract: Objective To analyze the influencing factors for sputum culture during sputum collection, storage and transport.  Methods The data of sputum culture from a municipal TB lab in Jiangsu province from April to October in 2010 were analyzed.  Results The process including sputum specimen collection, storage, transportation and culture in 475 smear-positive patients were analyzed, and found that the sputum specimens from different counties (P=0.007), different specimen quantity (P=0.008), different specimen storage time（P=0.037）and different positive class （P=0.001）all had statistic significance for culture quality.  Conclusions The procedure of specimen collection, storage, transportation and culture influence the result of culture. Their standard procedure required by the NTP should be strictly followed, and the training for health workers in county laboratory should be strengthened to improve sputum culture quality.

Key words: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sputum, bacteriological techniques