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Fungus Test: Fusarium , Yeast, Not Cryptococcus
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 10 hours ago | Replies (5)Comment receiving replies
Hi Blm... I've had sputum tests done every 4 months the past 2 years (MAC diagnosis, no meds, airway clearance 7%saline) and the last several have all come back with DIFFERENT 'gunk' identified: Candida albicans, clavispora lusitaniae, cryptococcus, dematiaceous fungus,
Along with bacteria klebsiella pneumoniae, pantoea agglomerans
and mycobacteria culture showing gordonia bronchialis
Cryptococcus was the first one that came back and I nearly had to demand further testing because I was freaked out. Even though it said "few". the Ag Screen with titer, S was negative for cryptococcus. Since every sputum has been coming back with something different, and my Mayo doctors (Pulm and infectious disease) both think nothing of it, I've stopped freaking out each time. BUT I'm goin to have a heart to heart with my ID doctor and say "what's up?!?" Since I've never gotten back to how I felt before last year's double pneumonia (twice) I'm wondering what's up. Appt with ID in Aug.
My doctors told me as long as I'm not showing active infections (I did have a CT in July - in the middle of all these weird things showing up and it was stable) then we can all have various spores that get in during sputum test, maybe were in our mouth or throat, or from the air, etc.
Not sure if this is helpful but wanted to let you know you're not the only one with 'stuff' growing. 🙂
Replies to "Hi Blm... I've had sputum tests done every 4 months the past 2 years (MAC diagnosis,..."
@susanocl There is a "downside" to test results being dropped on our patient portals without review and input from the ordering physician.
You just experienced it. The lab reports EVERY finding, whether clinically significant or not. So now you worry...
Over the past 8 years, in addition to NTM and pseudomonas, my cultures have shown a "laundry list" of other bacteria and fungus at one time or another.
Just one was an actual, active infection requiring treatment, and the doctor's office called me within 24 hours to tell me and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic. When I asked the pulmonologist, ID doc, and primary, all called the other reports incidental findings. Each said that unless these were symptomatic or dangerous, they would not be treated. In the case of one fungus (don't remember the specific one) the culture was repeated 2 more times, 2 weeks apart, to make sure it was not a problem.
In the past, we learned our lab results through the "lens" of our care team, and only heard of those that were clinically significant.
So, if your lab results indicate any infection that needs treatment, the ordering doc will get in touch with you.
Did you call the doctor's office today to ease your mind?
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@susanocl Your response and information is/was HELPFUL. Thank you.
I have told myself that we have been told that we all have Beneficial Bacteria and Opportunistic Pathogens. I recently reminded myself of this and for now I am going to assume that what is showing up in these first test results of each sputum submission is a type of beneficial bacteria since for now I still feel fine. When we bring up what comes up when we 'huff cough' etc. to put into the vile we more than likely are bringing up some of everything, meaning that some might have come from the gut, mouth, lungs etc.
As I indicated, this is a new pulmonologist and therefore his personal beliefs regarding watching what is in the sputum we send in...in terms of having the sputum tested for fungus.
All previous sputum submissions to NJH and Tyler did not test specifically for a fungus.
With your having had pneumonia twice that can certainly change things. Have you been fortunate enough to have avoided COVID...or did you have COVID also in the last few years. All adds up eventually when we have had different types of illnesses..... eventually.
I am not clear, do you or do you not have a MAC infection? I have intercellular under "watchful waiting" because it has been at a low load since 2023.
Barbara