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MAC diagnosis- lab finding vs clinical diagnosis
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
As a MAC patient and a clinician; when there is a doubt retest. I suggest a bronchoscopy because then the sample is not contaminated. Keep in mind results to take 6 to 8 weeks to process with a culture and sensitivity. Those are very important test because the initial smear may not give you a positive but the culture will grow it out and the sensitivity will tell the provider which antibiotics are appropriate for the given pathogen. Hope this helps.
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@michelercccb
Thank you for your helpful and informed post. I am 82 yo who was dx w Bronchiectasis w NTM in 2016. After dx, my husband and I flew to see Dr Daniels at UNC chapel Hill Bronchectasis/NTM center that I found on internet. My local pulmonologist suggested I get tx w antibiotics but Dr Daniels suggested airway clearance 2x day forever which has worked! But I had recent flare and my symptoms are spitting up blood wo a cough.
My specimen was contaminated so it seems
a bronchoscopy would be helpful at some point bc I was treated w Bactrim. My first pulmonologist dx me from w NTM from bronchoscopy specimen