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MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (24)
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Hi Barbara
Thank you for your response. Yes I am in Australia and I think you are right that the initial nasal swab wouldn't have been tested for NTM etc but it was a quick check which appeared to rule out a lot of the usual suspects for the general population. The second was a sputum done by a different Dr in a small window between antibiotics and don't think it would have screened for those things, I guess because it appeared as more of an acute infection.
If I am correct, NTM type infections are more subtle and are often diagnosed through gradual weight loss etc.
I am back to nebbing once daily.
This antibiotic seems to be helping so fingers crossed.
How are you travelling?
Narelle
Replies to "@blm1007blm1007 Hi Barbara Thank you for your response. Yes I am in Australia and I think..."
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@narelled23 Yes, your constant illness over several months raises suspicion of NTM/MAC. Diagnosing NTM is not subtle, but it does take time. There is a quick gram stain test done on a slide to see if mucus tests AFB positive, but it is not definitive by itself. NTM is very slow to grow, so part of the specimen must be smeared on growth medium in special trays and incubated for 6-8 weeks to see what grows. If it is pseudomonas, it will grow out quicker - more like a week or two.