AFB culture results showing different subspecies each time

My last several cultures from NJ have come back with 2 different subspecies. Sometimes it was Avium and sometimes was
Mycobacterium intracellulare. My Dr said because I isolate different subspecies of Mac implies that I am only transiently colonized with NTM. Prior to going to NJ the local lab had Abscessus and Avium. I later found out that most of those cultures were not done correctly and they should have been Avium not Abscessus. Super important to go to a good lab!

I am very thankful that my doctors' protocol for sputum cultures is to the department of health to confirm existence of NTM, then to NJH for specific species and sensitivity. We also send 3 samples, taken 3 different mornings, each time using sterile culture cups. This eliminates the risk of being diagnosed based on an accidentally contaminated culture. The cultures are immediately closed, bagged and refrigerated then delivered to the clinic lab ffor transport to the health department.
Sue

Pop55 since it is transient does that mean you are not being treated for ntm at this time? Thanks.

Sue, that is the same protocol my doctor uses. Except my once a month culture has only been one sample per month. I did the 3 when first diagnosed. They are sent to Quest lab for AFB positive or negative and then to NJH for species identification. NJH is the lab that is resulting with a different species each time. I'm getting a bronchoscopy that I hope will settle this! Thanks for your input!

Yes, I have never had treatment and was diagnosed in 2/2020 with NTM. I send my cultures to NJ where they are able to tell exactly which bacteria I have and it usually alternates between Avium and Intracellulare. The number of colonies also changes and has gone up as high as 200 and as low as 5. I sent my last culture early September and am waiting on the results. I do my airway clearance faithfully and it has made the difference. 7% and the Vest.