HomeAnswersPulmonology (Asthma Doctors)pneumoniaI underwent sputum culture tests. Please review my reports.

Am I suffering from pneumonia?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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iCliniq medical review team

Published At April 24, 2016
Reviewed AtFebruary 15, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am having a fever for about a month now. So, I have done a master health checkup and the report shows raised PLBS 184, SGPT 121, LDL 112, and fatty liver. My chest X-ray PA view shows right lower zone soft tissue opacity. Because of the soft tissue opacity fever pack, thyroid profile, blood culture and sensitivity, sputum AFB, sputum culture and sensitivity, and sputum gram stain tests were done. The results were normal except for the gram stain test results. The gram-stain sputum culture conventional showed pus cells and epithelial cells occasionally, bacteria-gram-positive cocci, and gram-negative rods. Sputum culture and sensitivity showed pus cells - occasional, epithelial cells - occasional, bacteria - gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods, and growth observed - normal flora. So, kindly explain the above results and advise me. My past medical history includes fistula-in-ano, hypertension, and vitamin D deficiency. Currently, I am taking Telma 40 mg and Lumia 60k.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Based on these reports, you are suffering from pneumonia .As your PPBS (postprandial blood sugar) is high, you need further evaluation and treatment. I would advise you to get a CT chest done. Also, get a sputum fungal stain and culture done. Check HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) every three months. You need to get these investigations done to be sure of the treatment required. You need to start on broad-spectrum antibiotics to control the infection.

Thank you

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods are found in both sputum gram stain and sputum culture and sensitivity test. But, in the sputum culture and sensitivity test the growth observed is normal flora. Here my doctor said it is normal. My body temperature is always high and I lost 5.5 pounds in 25 days. Please explain this. What type of antibiotics or medicine do I need to take if I am suffering from bacterial pneumonia?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

What is troubling me is your weight loss with a positive finding in a chest x-ray. I would hereby recommend you to go for evaluation of fungal infection as you have diabetes too. You should get the above-mentioned tests done on priority. Treatment would be based on the reports.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

As per your advice, I have given for sputum fungal stain test. Please clarify the following points. Are gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods found in both sputum for gram stain and sputum for culture and sensitivity test normal? I was diagnosed with borderline diabetes five years back, but till now I never took medicine for it. I controlled my diet very well and so my fasting blood sugar never raised above 100 and post-meal after two hours is always between 150 and 190. My HbA1c is always below 6.4. Till now I did not suffer from any diabetic symptoms. Do I need medicine for diabetes? I took the antibiotic tablet Cifran for 10 days and one tetanus injection just eight days before my blood test. Whether that antibiotic tablet affected the test report?

Please guide.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Since you havetaken antibiotics before the sputum test, the reports are negative. So, we cannot rule out the possibility of pneumonia. You would need to get a CT (computed tomography) chest also to be sure that the pneumonia has healed or left. This would be apparent in the CT. In the meanwhile, you will get the report for your fungal stain. As far as your diabetes is concerned, you should get your HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) repeated to be sure that your diabetes is not further worsening. So, after taking the antibiotic, your sputum test is negative. Hence this does not rule out your infection.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Anshul Varshney
Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine

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