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What Does My Lab Test Result Indicate?
Question: Hi Doctor, I have gone through 3 X AFB Culture tests to find out TB and the results are MTC NOT ISOLATED for all of three tests. What does this mean?
Brief Answer:
It means that tuberculosis bacteria are not found from your sputum sample.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to HCM,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern,
It means that tuberculosis bacteria are not found from your sputum sample.
It doesn't necessarily mean that patient is not having T.B.
Though chances of T.B is less but it is important to investigate further.
Negative culture may be due to many reasons like infection in another part,patient is taking anti T.B treatment,bacteria are not present in that particular sample etc.
If your doctor is strongly suspecting T.B then you may need further tests like routine hemogram,mantoux test,T.B gold test etc.
FNAC/Biopsy is confirmatory.It can be done if involved region is accessible.
You may need proper evaluation by a pulmonologist.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr. Indu XXXXXXX
It means that tuberculosis bacteria are not found from your sputum sample.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to HCM,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern,
It means that tuberculosis bacteria are not found from your sputum sample.
It doesn't necessarily mean that patient is not having T.B.
Though chances of T.B is less but it is important to investigate further.
Negative culture may be due to many reasons like infection in another part,patient is taking anti T.B treatment,bacteria are not present in that particular sample etc.
If your doctor is strongly suspecting T.B then you may need further tests like routine hemogram,mantoux test,T.B gold test etc.
FNAC/Biopsy is confirmatory.It can be done if involved region is accessible.
You may need proper evaluation by a pulmonologist.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr. Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I also have gone through TB gold test which came negative as well. I never consumed TB medicine as I never have had TB in my whole life.
There was MINIMAL DENSITY SEEN IN MY LT. APEX on my chest X-Ray due to that I had to go for sputum test to find out the availability of TB. Would you still want me to go for TB medicine? Please advise
There was MINIMAL DENSITY SEEN IN MY LT. APEX on my chest X-Ray due to that I had to go for sputum test to find out the availability of TB. Would you still want me to go for TB medicine? Please advise
Brief Answer:
As all tests are negative so T.B is unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to HCM,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern,
As all tests are negative so T.B is unlikely.
Minimal density may be due to pneumonitis(infection) etc.
As you are young,other possibilities are unlikely.
You may need broad spectrum antibiotics first after evaluation.
I don't think you need anti T.B medicines at present.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr. Indu XXXXXXX
As all tests are negative so T.B is unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to HCM,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern,
As all tests are negative so T.B is unlikely.
Minimal density may be due to pneumonitis(infection) etc.
As you are young,other possibilities are unlikely.
You may need broad spectrum antibiotics first after evaluation.
I don't think you need anti T.B medicines at present.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr. Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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