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New to MAC and considering treatments options: What did you do?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Nov 19, 2023 | Replies (190)Comment receiving replies
The result from my bronchoscopy was AFB Negative Smear and AFB Positive Culture. Does this mean the disease is "active" enough to be treated? If you are positive MAC with evidence of lung damage on CT Scan why do they not go ahead with treatment to prevent further progression and damage?
Replies to "The result from my bronchoscopy was AFB Negative Smear and AFB Positive Culture. Does this mean..."
Thank you for your reply. I will check the links you provided. So, does a negative smear with a positive culture mean there is not active mycobacterium infection?
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@cwal Welcome to Mayo Connect, and the discussions on MAC & Bronchiectasis.
I would like to introduce you to our discussion by newly diagnosed people -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-mac-1/
There you will find a lot of information and a long discussion of when to treat.
The short answer is, "It depends." Yes, I hate that too! MAC is treated not with a "Z-Pac" or other short course of antibiotics, but with a long (at least 12 months) regiment of 3 powerful antibiotics that have onerous side effects for some people. For people who have mild MAC, are asymptomatic, have little evidence (in a CT scan) of extensive lung involvement, or have other health issues, often the answer is to wait and watch. This strategy is combined with a daily regiment of airway clearance, and for many of us halts the progression of MAC without the harsh effects of the drugs.
Soem other discussions that may help you are: Whether to treat -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-mac-1/
Airway Clearance:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mucociliary-escalator/
Other treatments:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/saline-nebulized-inhalation/
What led you to be tested?
Sue