1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Sputum culture and MIC Panel showing different results

Posted by Jen_b @jenblalock, Apr 16, 2021

Hi all. I haven't been on here for a couple of years. My MAC cleared up and I've been off meds since 2017. My latest sputum culture showed it is back and I am on the Big 3 only 3 x a week this time which is so much less than what I went through last time. My question is this: Has anyone had a culture sent to the lab for susceptibility and had it come back showing another strain of NTM? After having my cultures come back positive for Avium Intracellulare, my first susceptibility (or MIC panel) results came back with "Test not performed. We are unable to isolate the Mycobacterium avium complex due to overgrowth of the Mycobacterium chelonae-abscessus group." This result was from Quest laboratories and my ID doctor is also sending it off to NJH for further analysis. Mainly, I just want to know if anyone else has gotten this sort of result from their susceptibility report after having a different bacteria reported from the sputum culture. Thanks for your time.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 18, 2021
In reply to @windwalker "Hi Sue! When will you go back for another sputem test? It will be good to..." + (show)
@windwalker

Hi Sue! When will you go back for another sputem test? It will be good to know if the saline is doing it's job.

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not until December according to my care plan, however my mucus is increasing as is SOB, so maybe sooner.
Sue

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 18, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "not until December according to my care plan, however my mucus is increasing as is SOB,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

not until December according to my care plan, however my mucus is increasing as is SOB, so maybe sooner.
Sue

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@sueinmn- What do you do to control your SOB?

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 18, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "@sueinmn- What do you do to control your SOB?" + (show)
@merpreb

@sueinmn- What do you do to control your SOB?

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Rescue inhaler, deep breathing, airway clearance with Aerobika vibrator, and getting up and moving slowly. If all else fails, I neb levalbuterol, but it makes my tremors go wild. Do you have any other tactics for me to try?
Sue

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 18, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Rescue inhaler, deep breathing, airway clearance with Aerobika vibrator, and getting up and moving slowly. If..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Rescue inhaler, deep breathing, airway clearance with Aerobika vibrator, and getting up and moving slowly. If all else fails, I neb levalbuterol, but it makes my tremors go wild. Do you have any other tactics for me to try?
Sue

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I wish that I did. You've probably tried everything that I've put on Connect. But! Have you tried any of the vest systems?

https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/the-vest-system-105/
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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 18, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "I wish that I did. You've probably tried everything that I've put on Connect. But! Have..." + (show)
@merpreb

I wish that I did. You've probably tried everything that I've put on Connect. But! Have you tried any of the vest systems?

https://www.hillrom.com/en/products/the-vest-system-105/

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Not happening! Even the pulmonologist agrees that my arthritis makes it unwise. - Even the vibration from TENS unit sends my muscles into spasm.

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 18, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Not happening! Even the pulmonologist agrees that my arthritis makes it unwise. - Even the vibration..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Not happening! Even the pulmonologist agrees that my arthritis makes it unwise. - Even the vibration from TENS unit sends my muscles into spasm.

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Oh, no! That's too bad. If I read of something other than a vibrating jacket I'll let you know, of course!

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woot | @woot | May 26, 2021
In reply to @pop55 "Yes, I had something similar. I had 4 different sputum cultures report abscessus and when my..." + (show)
@pop55

Yes, I had something similar. I had 4 different sputum cultures report abscessus and when my dr asked the lab do susceptibility testing to see if it had the erm gene they realized I didn't have abscessus but that it was Mycobacterium avian complex instead. A few months later I went to NJ and the sputum cultures have all showed Mycobacterium Intracellular. Its really important to use a good lab.

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Which lab in NC did you use before going back to NJH?

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woot | @woot | May 26, 2021
In reply to @pop55 "Yes, I had something similar. I had 4 different sputum cultures report abscessus and when my..." + (show)
@pop55

Yes, I had something similar. I had 4 different sputum cultures report abscessus and when my dr asked the lab do susceptibility testing to see if it had the erm gene they realized I didn't have abscessus but that it was Mycobacterium avian complex instead. A few months later I went to NJ and the sputum cultures have all showed Mycobacterium Intracellular. Its really important to use a good lab.

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Because you see Daniels, was it UNC lab or Rex or?.

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1 reply
pop55 | @pop55 | May 26, 2021
In reply to @woot "Because you see Daniels, was it UNC lab or Rex or?." + (show)
@woot

Because you see Daniels, was it UNC lab or Rex or?.

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Rex not UNC.

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