Pneumonia, MAC and Aspergillus ?!?

Posted by monkeysmom @monkeysmom, Aug 20, 2022

Hello All, new here as I am searching the web for any info I can find on some new diagnosis’s on my dad. Here is a little background on him so maybe ya’ll can help
Me out, I thank you all in advance.

74 Caucasian male, COPD, lung fibrosis, asthma. Very poor lung function on O2 24 hours a day at 5 liters (dr wants a higher concentrator ordered) lower lobe of left lung removed in 2009. Was hospitalized in July ‘22 for O2 stats in the 60’s. Had sputum cultures done over the last 2 months prior to hospitalization and has been actively treated for a “lung infection” for over a year. Many courses of antibiotics they will help a little
But never get rid of it entirely.

While hospitalized he was diagnosed with Pneumonia and treated ent with broad spectrum IV antibiotics were started sputum
Culture initially showed pseudomonas aeruginosa, few polys, few gram positive cocci, rare gram negative rods. According to
The results -the Pseudomonas and gram
neg rods made for the MAC diagnosis as both are indicated either individually or together to diagnose Mac ? (According to his pulmonologist)

They did a CT which showed bullous emphysematous along with interstitial honeycombing in the lungs. Among other things.

They did a bronchial wash and were able to submit a large amount for
Culture and the final
Culture results add finding of -Aspergillus fumigatus A

I spoke with his pulmonologist who said he wants to treat for the pneumonia and get my dad over that and “we are not treating the MAC” the final culture results weren’t in at that time but my major concerns here are what I’ve read on good old Dr. Google and what I am taking away here is that MAC needs to be treated quickly especially in immune compromised patients, and that the risks of treatment need to be discussed as it can take many years of antibiotics which in turn causes antibiotic resistance, causing a super bug etc. I also have read that anti fungal treatment is also hard on the body can cause liver, kidney damage. So I guess I’m here to get support and see how to navigate this road any suggestions shared experience would
Be greatly appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

@richkey

I tried to write and it got deleted. I'll make it short. Pulmonologist diagnosed me from sputum that took them 3 days to test with Mac.
The pulmonologist referred me to a ID specialist in supposedly diagnosing the specific type of Mac to get the right antibiotics. His name is Richard Sokolov Ms.

My question because this is so complicated a situation and I'm afraid to die, I really would like to know how I can get some help quickly to try to save my life. Thank you.
Dr Richard Sokolov

Jump to this post

First, take a deep breath and try to relax while we talk about MAC and its treatment.

MAC is a very slow-growing infection that can take a long time to diagnose properly, but there is VERY little risk you die anytime soon.

A 3 day test showing MAC is very preliminary - it only shows you MAY have the infection. It takes 6 - 10 weeks for the type of MAC and how extensive it is to be determined from a sputum culture. Even then, it may not be serious enough to begin treatment with antibiotics, you may be able to manage or even eliminate it with a daily airway clearance routine.

Can you tell me what symptoms led you to go to a pulmonologist? Have you had a CT scan to determine the overall health of your lungs and determine if you have any other lung conditions like Asthma, Bronchiectasis or COPD?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.