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Sputum Culture- What does AFB Smear Positive mean?

Posted by pop55 @pop55, Apr 13, 2022

What does AFB Smear Positive mean? I have had 3 recent cultures and my February results were AFB Smear Positive, 3+ 4 to 36 AFB/fields observed. Two weeks ago I did another culture that was smear negative and I have another culture that is pending. I have an appointment at NJ next week.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 16 10:28pm
In reply to @sweethighland "@margiel17 Yes, chronic infection makes my ferritin level and iron level low. They said it is..." + (show)
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@margiel17 Yes, chronic infection makes my ferritin level and iron level low. They said it is not a good idea to take iron pills as it helps make bacterial biofilms stronger 🙁

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@sweethighland Can you tell me who "they" are? When I had low ferritin, I was temporarily prescribed an iron supplement, but stopped it as soon as my levels normalized.

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sweethighland | @sweethighland | Jun 17 12:16pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@sweethighland Can you tell me who "they" are? When I had low ferritin, I was temporarily..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@sweethighland Can you tell me who "they" are? When I had low ferritin, I was temporarily prescribed an iron supplement, but stopped it as soon as my levels normalized.

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@sueinmn Sorry Sue, I didn't make it clear. There are many research papers that I have been reading a correlation between iron intake and bacterial biofilms. I explored with my own situation and the months that I take iron, my bacteria load goes up to Moderate and Heavy. I'm torn between iron level and bacteria load.

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irenea8 | @irenea8 | Jun 18 7:11am
In reply to @sweethighland "@sueinmn Sorry Sue, I didn't make it clear. There are many research papers that I have..." + (show)
Profile picture for sweethighland @sweethighland

@sueinmn Sorry Sue, I didn't make it clear. There are many research papers that I have been reading a correlation between iron intake and bacterial biofilms. I explored with my own situation and the months that I take iron, my bacteria load goes up to Moderate and Heavy. I'm torn between iron level and bacteria load.

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@sweethighland
I can so relate to being torn between iron levels and bacteria load. My pulmo said they used to worry about iron intake but now have found that "the body wins". I think he meant that the body will take up the increase in iron rather than the pseudo (in my case). But I have not found that to be true. So I just try to get a little iron in my diet but since I do not eat red meat, it is very limited. If you do need to supplement maybe try very small amounts?

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mokie | @mokie | Jun 23 6:32am
In reply to @margiel17 "@sueinmn I have mycobacterium abscesses in my sinuses. I had sinus surgery to correct chronic sinusitis...." + (show)
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@sueinmn I have mycobacterium abscesses in my sinuses. I had sinus surgery to correct chronic sinusitis. I did not have an AFB test prior to surgery. The doctor did one now because I'm 8 months post surgery and my sinuses are still infected. I'm also wheezing as this seems to be affecting my chest. I brought up this concern to my doctor and they ordered a chest CT with contrast. That came back normal. It seems as if the doctor has ruled out the infection in my lung just by the CT results. However, the more I read, I hear that a sputum test is needed to diagnose this in the lungs. Could I have this in my lungs but have a normal CT? Also, as I wait for doctors to determine the best treatment, I have also found out that my ferritin level has dropped to below the norm (36). Back tracking here, but I had ferritin infusions 4 years ago, as well as a uterine ablation to stop that bleeding and a colonoscopy to rule out internal bleeding. So I have not been losing blood over the past 4 years, and yet my ferritin is down to 36. Can this infection rob your body of stored iron? Could I have had this in my body for several years? I've been struggling with overall malaise, sinus pain, pain in joints, migraines, exhaustion, wheezing, etc, for many years now. Please provide any insight you may have.

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@margiel17
Are you on any antibiotics for the sinus troubles?

The CT and sputum tests measure differently: "a CT scan shows the presence and severity of an infection, while a sputum sample identifies the specific germ causing it."

I read online that ferritin levels can drop with inflammation and the work of the immune system.

I hope this is helpful,
Mokie

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