A sputum sample was brought to the laboratory for analysis. Gram stain revealed the following: rare epithelial cells, 8 to 10 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power field, and pleomorphic Gram-negative rods. As the laboratory consultant, which of the following interpretations should you make?
The sputum specimen is too contaminated by saliva to be useful The appearance of the sputum is suggestive of Haemophilus pneumonia The patient has pneumococcal pneumonia There is no evidence of an inflammatory response