anyone know info on...

[anonymous]

I just went to my docs yesterday and was told that I might have a bacteria that is i guess a cousin to TB.. I think that it is call atypical microbacterium.... I guess that there are several types of it but she thinks that I might have it... Does anyone know about this??? I am a little scared... I really dont want to wait the two weeks to find out if i have it or not...!!! Anyways, i was just wondering... thanks for any help...
Cariann 20 w/cf cfrd mrsa

 

[anonymous]

If they mean acid-fast bacteria, this isn't necessairly bad. I had an acid-fast bacteria, and I was worried that I was going to have to deal with a TB-type ordeal. But apparently, not all acid-fast bacteria are conclusively bad for a CFer. (TB is an acid-fast bacterium).

 

[anonymous]

(oophs! I forgot to conclude.) Anyway, I was fine and eventually I didn't test positive anymore. Good Luck.

 

[anonymous]

I also have an atypical mycobacterium, m. abscessus, there are several different ones that CFers seem to get. I think m. Avium is the most common. I cultured this bacteria for almost 20 years before I became symptomatic and required antibiotics to treat it. The thing with mycobacterial infections is that they require long treatment, in my case I had 2 six-month courses of IV abx. Not fun, but they saved my life. I wouldn't worry too much if you are culturing this bacteria but aren't having any symptoms (i.e. weight loss, loss of appetite, night sweats, fevers, decrease in pfts) As I mentioned, I cultured this for almost 20 years before I needed treatment. There is a hospital in Denver that specializes in mycobacterial infections, The National Jewish Center for Respiratory Diseases, I consulted with a doctor there to make sure I was getting the best treatment. Hope this helps!

Kim 40 w/cf

 

[DebbieC]

I clutured and had to be threated for TWO microbacteriums! M. Aviam and M. kansasi (sp?) They really bogged me down. I cultured them after living in a crappy basement apartment my junior year of college. After a year of feeling like crap, I started a very tough course of 3 antibiotics. They almost made me feel worse, I had drug fevers, horrific joint pain, I threw up almost like clockwork, and the dose schedule was demanding. I was on them for over a year. It was tough, but they are gone now and I feel soooooo much better.

I go to the Adult Cf clinic at National Jewish in Denver and their specialist are good. It has been consistantly ranked the 1 respritory hospital in the country.

 

[anonymous]

Thank you for all of your imputs, I really hope that I dont have it but if I do i guess i will overcome it!!!
Cariann

 

[luke]

Mycobacteriums are also a common lab. contaminant in cultures as well; I would encourage you to get another culture done just to make sure.


luke