Abstract: The present invention provides a universally applicable lysis buffer comprising a chaotropic 5 agent, a reducing agent, and a proteolytic enzyme suitable for processing a wide variety o different sample types, such as different types of bodily samples relevant for the diagnosis o a respiratory disease. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of a chaotropic agent, a reducing agent, and a proteolytic enzyme for the lysis of a broad spectrum of bodily samples. Moreover, the present invention provides a method for processing bodily samples which is universally applicable to the lysis of a variety of different types of bodily samples. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for analyzing a bodily sample or for detecting the presence of a pathogen in a bodily sample, preferably, for diagnosing a respiratory disease, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis.