Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a support community for patients and caregivers in our journeys with many different diseases and conditions.
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Sue
Hi there!
MAC stands for Mycobacterium Avium Complex. It is a group of 12 bacteria. MAI, Mycobacterium avium-intercellulare, is one of the bacteria in that group. The confusing part is that some medical professionals often use the terms "MAC" and "MAI" interchangeably.
Many laboratories do not have the ability to "sub-speciate" to determine which of the 12 MAC bacteria is infecting a person. That is why samples are often sent to higher-level labs like the ones at the Mayo, National Jewish Health and UT Tyler.
When I had a bronchoscopy in 2018, a sample was sent to National Jewish for sub-speciation and it was determined that the bacteria was m. intercellulare (MAI). So, in my case, the term MAI was not being used in a general sense, but rather based on my lab analysis.
Although I was able to clear the bacteria without antibiotics, if I had opted for the 3-drug treatment, it would have been identical to those being treated for m.avium, another bacterium in the Complex.
Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a support community for patients and caregivers in our journeys with many different diseases and conditions.
What brings you to Connect?
Sue
Welcome, I am not familiar with cylindrical bronchitis? MAI (mycobacteria avium intracellulare) is just one of the similar infections included under the umbrella of MAC (mycobacteria avium complex)
When were you diagnosed? Have you found a pulmonologist familiar with MAC to manage your care?
Welcome, I am not familiar with cylindrical bronchitis? MAI (mycobacteria avium intracellulare) is just one of the similar infections included under the umbrella of MAC (mycobacteria avium complex)
When were you diagnosed? Have you found a pulmonologist familiar with MAC to manage your care?
Which inhaler has been prescribed that caused thrush?
How were your MAC infection and bronchiectasis diagnosed? By a CT scan, x-ray, sputum culture?
The first step with this diagnosis is to see a pulmonologist, preferably one who is familiar with bronchiectasis.
Sue
Hello jenn. How do you use mullein. I heard about it on this forum and actually bought a dry form yesterday. But how do you prepare it and how do you drink it? Thank you lilianna mika
Hello jenn. How do you use mullein. I heard about it on this forum and actually bought a dry form yesterday. But how do you prepare it and how do you drink it? Thank you lilianna mika
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Hug
Caregiver for husband DX with MAC..
Can you tell me how you cleared it without the big 3 please? I have opted to not do antibiotics and am using mullein, osha and diet. Thank you.
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Hug
1 ReactionYour treatment is more likely to change based on your tolerance to the drugs, the severity and if your sputum cultures clear by 6 months
Lots of changes including diet, exercise, airway clearance and stress reduction.
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1 ReactionMild cylindrical bronchitis MAI infection
Welcome, I am not familiar with cylindrical bronchitis? MAI (mycobacteria avium intracellulare) is just one of the similar infections included under the umbrella of MAC (mycobacteria avium complex)
When were you diagnosed? Have you found a pulmonologist familiar with MAC to manage your care?
No . This is new . Not sure how to proceed. The inhaler caused Thrush . I am not well from a virus .
Cylindrical bronchiectasis is one form of the disease. You can read a little about it here:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21144-bronchiectasis
Which inhaler has been prescribed that caused thrush?
How were your MAC infection and bronchiectasis diagnosed? By a CT scan, x-ray, sputum culture?
The first step with this diagnosis is to see a pulmonologist, preferably one who is familiar with bronchiectasis.
Sue
Hello jenn. How do you use mullein. I heard about it on this forum and actually bought a dry form yesterday. But how do you prepare it and how do you drink it? Thank you lilianna mika
I drink the tea with honey and take the capsules.