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What does this fluctuation in AFB sputum tests in a short time mean?

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (12)
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@tcd518

My doctor told me the acid fast smear is where the lab looks for TB (which has to be reported to the County health department) and the results only take a day or so. The culture, which takes six weeks to grow, is where the MAC and all the other fun stuff show up. Does that fit with your experience?

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Replies to "My doctor told me the acid fast smear is where the lab looks for TB (which..."
paxmundi | @paxmundi | 3 days ago

I am in the process of transferring doctors. That is why I am in the dark. I had a separate test for TB, which was negative.

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lorrainewenn | @lorrainewenn | 2 days ago

No, when I was first diagnosed I was positive for both the AFB and the culture. Once I started the airway clearance with 7% saline, my bioburden decreased. Now I only test positive sporadicly for MAC Avium.

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