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AFB smear 3+

Posted by debbie1971 @debbie1971, Sep 11, 2023

AFB smear in April 4+ after bronchoscopy. Cultures positive for m. avium. Started the Big Three in June. July and August sputum smears showed 2+ afb. Culture m. avium. September smear showed 3+ afb. No culture results yet. Does this increase indicate treatment might not be working?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 11, 2023

@debbie1971 Are you looking at the test results on your patient portal? These are usually posted automatically without review by your doc. A change in the AFB smear results do not necessarily mean an increase in the level of infection. This is only a very preliminary check to see if the culture is necessary. The difference may just be in the length of time the smear was allowed to grow before it was read.

I am surprised they are performing the cultures so frequently - two or three month intervals are more usual as it takes a long time to treat MAC.
Sue

REPLY
debbie1971 | @debbie1971 | Sep 11, 2023

Thank you so much for your reply. You have made me feel a little better. I so much want these meds to work.

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