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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:
This means that your sputum is not having tb bacilli.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
These culture reports are negative for TB bacilli.
This means your sputum is not having tb bacilli.
So if your doctor is suspecting tb then there is less chance of tb in you.
Or if you are already on anti tubercular drugs then your drugs are working well and you are on recovery.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
This means that your sputum is not having tb bacilli.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
These culture reports are negative for TB bacilli.
This means your sputum is not having tb bacilli.
So if your doctor is suspecting tb then there is less chance of tb in you.
Or if you are already on anti tubercular drugs then your drugs are working well and you are on recovery.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thanks Dr. Does it mean the results are negative?
I had a scar on my chest X- Ray due to that I had to go for culture and smear tests. Since the results are showing MTC NOT ISOLATED. Does it mean the results are negative? Please advise.
I had a scar on my chest X- Ray due to that I had to go for culture and smear tests. Since the results are showing MTC NOT ISOLATED. Does it mean the results are negative? Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Yes, you are not have tuberculosis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
Scar on chest x ray is mostly due to old healed lung infection.
So you might be having previous lung infection like tuberculosis or pneumonia which was healed with treatment and now showing scar lesion on chest x ray.
Your culture report is negative at present, means you are not having tb infection at present.
So, these culture reports are good and suggestive of tuberculosis.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Yes, you are not have tuberculosis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
Scar on chest x ray is mostly due to old healed lung infection.
So you might be having previous lung infection like tuberculosis or pneumonia which was healed with treatment and now showing scar lesion on chest x ray.
Your culture report is negative at present, means you are not having tb infection at present.
So, these culture reports are good and suggestive of tuberculosis.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
i never have had TB in my whole life. There was MINIMAL DENSITY SEEN IN LT. APEX on my chest X-Ray due to which i had to go for 3 smear and culture tests which came negative.
Do i still need to get the treatment? or there is no need? Please advise.
Do i still need to get the treatment? or there is no need? Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Can you please send me x ray image?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
It is very common to have scarring of lungs without past history of lung infection like pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Sometimes aging can also develop such scar.
If you are smoker then it can also cause this scar.
And I need to see the x ray image to answer your question about whether treatment is needed or not.
Because many times, patient is not able to give good Quality sputum for the test despite of lesion on chest x ray. In such cases, sputum can come negative but we are starting anti TB drugs if chest x ray is showing active lesions.
So it would be of great help in deciding whether you need treatment (anti tubercular drugs) or not if you can send me picture of your chest x ray.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks
Can you please send me x ray image?
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
It is very common to have scarring of lungs without past history of lung infection like pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Sometimes aging can also develop such scar.
If you are smoker then it can also cause this scar.
And I need to see the x ray image to answer your question about whether treatment is needed or not.
Because many times, patient is not able to give good Quality sputum for the test despite of lesion on chest x ray. In such cases, sputum can come negative but we are starting anti TB drugs if chest x ray is showing active lesions.
So it would be of great help in deciding whether you need treatment (anti tubercular drugs) or not if you can send me picture of your chest x ray.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
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