(EN) Predicting the likelihood of lung disease in a subject, comprising labeling an ex-vivo sputum sample from a subject with one or more of the following: a first labeled probe that binds a biomarker expressed on a white blood cell population in the sample; a second labeled probe selected from the group consisting of: a granulocyte probe, a T-cell probe, a B-cell probe, or any combination thereof; a third labeled probe that binds a biomarker on a macrophage cell population; a fourth labeled probe that binds to a disease related cell in the sample; a fifth labeled probe that binds to a biomarker expressed on an epithelial cell population; and a sixth labeled probe that binds to a cell surface biomarker expressed on an epithelial cell population to obtain data comprising a mean fluorescent signature and detecting a profile based upon a presence or absence of labeled probes.