@dltorres I have not heard of it taking so long, and I am not a bacteriologist, but it sounds like a lab that needs to follow up.
Here is what usually happens to a sputum sample when NTM is suspected - First, a small amount is placed on a slide and inspected under a microscope to determine what bacteria is there. When NTM or Pseudomonas is suspected, the tech is looking for bacilli with a specific resistance to a tiny amount of acid and with specific shapes. If any are seen on the slide, they are described.

Then, a larger amount of the sample is smeared on growth medium in a specimen dish, placed in an incubator and we wait. Often this is done in a specialized lab, with techs experienced in identifying rare bacteria. It is checked periodically during a growth period of 4 to 8 weeks. If the specimen grows, highly trained techs identify the specific strain of bacteria growing, and begin applying antibiotics to the growing bacteria to see what kills it. The longest it ever took for my specimens was 7 weeks.

Now the question is what to do next. It sounds to me like your culture may not have gone to a specialized lab with a set protocol, and thus has "fallen through the cracks." Perhaps you and your doctor should consider doing another specimen, and this time be sure it gets to a specialized lab? Or perhaps it is time to see a pulmonologist or ID doc experienced in treating NTM?

What has the doctor suggested?
Sue