@sueinmn Hi Sue, that's encouraging. Prior to getting AFB results, NJH labs post the microscopic analysis which quantifies (rare, few, many) different types of bacteria (normal flora, gram negative or gram-positive cocci, rods etc.). One thing I have noticed is the times my AFB smear and culture come back positive, there are rare or few gram-positive rods. Reversely, when AFB is negative, there is no mention of gram-positive rods. Since, NTM are gram-positive rods-I feel I have some indication whether or not my culture will be negative or positive. What do you think? When I saw there were no gm + rods, I messaged nurse and she said AFB smear results have not been completed/posted.