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What Does My Lab Test Report Indicate?
Question: I had a throat culture that came back postiive for two things:
klebsiella pneumomiae, heavy growth
enterobacter asburiae heavy growth
I had a Upper Respiratory Culture done Sensitivity Organism #1, Sensitivity Organism #2
Results: Result 1. Klebsiella pneumoniae Heavy growth
Result 2. Enterobacter asburiae heavy growth
Can any one of these be treated with antibiotics ? Which antibiotics? Which one cannot be treated? I suspect the Result 1. reading not many antibiotics can kill this. Does that mean it will spread elsewhere? or can my body fight it off? Im sick from this.
klebsiella pneumomiae, heavy growth
enterobacter asburiae heavy growth
I had a Upper Respiratory Culture done Sensitivity Organism #1, Sensitivity Organism #2
Results: Result 1. Klebsiella pneumoniae Heavy growth
Result 2. Enterobacter asburiae heavy growth
Can any one of these be treated with antibiotics ? Which antibiotics? Which one cannot be treated? I suspect the Result 1. reading not many antibiotics can kill this. Does that mean it will spread elsewhere? or can my body fight it off? Im sick from this.
Brief Answer:
Initial treatment should be with multiple antibiotics as per the C/S report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The Biaxin (clarithromycin) was suitable for the strep throat and the ear/sinus infections.Treatment should now be according to the resistance of these bacteria and their antibiotic sensitivity report. MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) values should be included in the report. If not, repeat the throat cultures. Upload previous reports.
2. Initial treatment should be with multiple antibiotics as per the C/S report, with intravenous antibiotics if possible, especially meropenem (carbapenem group) for a longer duration that normally used. This will settle the infections.
3. Local mediated gargles will help. These bacteria are also part of the normal bacterial flora in the throat and the question is whether this is bacterial overgrowth due to the previous antibiotic (Baxin) that does not cover this spectrum or whether these are nosocomial (resistant hospital acquired infections).
4. These are opportunistic infections and are unlikely to cause serious disease unless your immunity is very low. Upload the blood count reports.
5. Request an opinion from another infectious disease expert.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards. .
Initial treatment should be with multiple antibiotics as per the C/S report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The Biaxin (clarithromycin) was suitable for the strep throat and the ear/sinus infections.Treatment should now be according to the resistance of these bacteria and their antibiotic sensitivity report. MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) values should be included in the report. If not, repeat the throat cultures. Upload previous reports.
2. Initial treatment should be with multiple antibiotics as per the C/S report, with intravenous antibiotics if possible, especially meropenem (carbapenem group) for a longer duration that normally used. This will settle the infections.
3. Local mediated gargles will help. These bacteria are also part of the normal bacterial flora in the throat and the question is whether this is bacterial overgrowth due to the previous antibiotic (Baxin) that does not cover this spectrum or whether these are nosocomial (resistant hospital acquired infections).
4. These are opportunistic infections and are unlikely to cause serious disease unless your immunity is very low. Upload the blood count reports.
5. Request an opinion from another infectious disease expert.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards. .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dr. Bhatti,
Thank you for the information you've given me.
I would like to ask another question regarding the results from the Upper REspiratory Culture.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Heavy growth.
Will this ever resolve on its on?
Can it end up in my lungs? or my heart?
Can I give it to someone else by kissing, or talking too close to someone or casual contact?
Most important question of all --how could I have gotten this? Ive been sick since I moved to a house that has well water. We do not have an ultra violet light to purify the water; however I never drink from it. I use bottled water. But I do brush my teeth in the well water and have gargled in the past. I did visit my brother who is in hospice and had recovered from a sepsis infection from pneumonia--he recovered from sepsis last Feb. but I did not see him till I flew out to see him last month.
I live in the US and have not traveled out of the country but my husband did and had gotten ill--he went to Italy, France and England. Im not sure if this happened before or after he went on the trip.
Also could I have gotten this bacteria from a cat? Unfortunately, sometimes our cats have been found licking our raw spinach or cooked beat. They also lick us.
And finally, what kind of doctor should I follow up with? An ear/nose/throat or an infectious disease doctor?
I started drinking Kefir unflavored and wondering if the Kefir could have produced this bacteria?
The most amazing thing is I wash my hands literally 30x a day, clean off surfaces with clorox and keep everything as sanitized and clean as possible.
Thank you for your time and research.
Sincerely, XXXXXXX
Thank you for the information you've given me.
I would like to ask another question regarding the results from the Upper REspiratory Culture.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Heavy growth.
Will this ever resolve on its on?
Can it end up in my lungs? or my heart?
Can I give it to someone else by kissing, or talking too close to someone or casual contact?
Most important question of all --how could I have gotten this? Ive been sick since I moved to a house that has well water. We do not have an ultra violet light to purify the water; however I never drink from it. I use bottled water. But I do brush my teeth in the well water and have gargled in the past. I did visit my brother who is in hospice and had recovered from a sepsis infection from pneumonia--he recovered from sepsis last Feb. but I did not see him till I flew out to see him last month.
I live in the US and have not traveled out of the country but my husband did and had gotten ill--he went to Italy, France and England. Im not sure if this happened before or after he went on the trip.
Also could I have gotten this bacteria from a cat? Unfortunately, sometimes our cats have been found licking our raw spinach or cooked beat. They also lick us.
And finally, what kind of doctor should I follow up with? An ear/nose/throat or an infectious disease doctor?
I started drinking Kefir unflavored and wondering if the Kefir could have produced this bacteria?
The most amazing thing is I wash my hands literally 30x a day, clean off surfaces with clorox and keep everything as sanitized and clean as possible.
Thank you for your time and research.
Sincerely, XXXXXXX
ps. All my blood work came out normal--WBC, CBC, I had seen an infectious disease dr. who cultured my throat for gonhereaa and wanted to conduct a series of STD related tests, which I didnt think was necessary but the dr. wished to do it..all were negative.
I had been on amoxicillian CL (augmentin 500 mgs. 2x a day for 30 days) because of the strept throat which came out postive on a culture and bloodwork. You are saying its possible the amoxcilian could have caused it? Im still on Biaxin for a sinus/ear infection. My ears nose throat dr. wants me to take it for 14 days.
I go back to him Nov. 2 but in the meantime will make an appt. with the infectious disease dr. I never smoked, never drank (except when I was 18, 19_ but I am 61 now. I eat all healthy foods--certified organic fruits/veggies/ nuts, flaxseeds/flaxseed oatmeal, and dont drink soda.
I just thought of something--I do put Sweet n Low into an iced tea every day. Could the Sweet n Low be causing any of these infections. I know it can cause yeast problems in the vaginal area.
Thank you.
I had been on amoxicillian CL (augmentin 500 mgs. 2x a day for 30 days) because of the strept throat which came out postive on a culture and bloodwork. You are saying its possible the amoxcilian could have caused it? Im still on Biaxin for a sinus/ear infection. My ears nose throat dr. wants me to take it for 14 days.
I go back to him Nov. 2 but in the meantime will make an appt. with the infectious disease dr. I never smoked, never drank (except when I was 18, 19_ but I am 61 now. I eat all healthy foods--certified organic fruits/veggies/ nuts, flaxseeds/flaxseed oatmeal, and dont drink soda.
I just thought of something--I do put Sweet n Low into an iced tea every day. Could the Sweet n Low be causing any of these infections. I know it can cause yeast problems in the vaginal area.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Consult an Infectious Disease Specialist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. It all depends on whether this is a resistant strain or an overgrowth of natural throat bacteria due to antibiotics.
2. If it is an antibiotic resistant strain, it is likely to be a hospital acquired bacteria of from intimate contact. Otherwise it is a natural commensal with low chances of spread and disease. It can be transmitted by cats and through unfiltered water.You should get the well water tested. Sweeteners should not be a problem.
3. Since your blood counts are normal, this is more likely to be an overgrowth. An infectious disease expert should be able to adjust the antibiotics to include these in the coverage and reduce the bacterial load.
4. Your immunity seems fine, hence there is no cause for worry.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Consult an Infectious Disease Specialist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. It all depends on whether this is a resistant strain or an overgrowth of natural throat bacteria due to antibiotics.
2. If it is an antibiotic resistant strain, it is likely to be a hospital acquired bacteria of from intimate contact. Otherwise it is a natural commensal with low chances of spread and disease. It can be transmitted by cats and through unfiltered water.You should get the well water tested. Sweeteners should not be a problem.
3. Since your blood counts are normal, this is more likely to be an overgrowth. An infectious disease expert should be able to adjust the antibiotics to include these in the coverage and reduce the bacterial load.
4. Your immunity seems fine, hence there is no cause for worry.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your prompt response.
Upon your recommendation, I will see an Infectious Disease dr. I made an appt. and was able to get in this week.
I appreciate your expert knowledge. Im happy there are services like this.
Sincerly, XXXXXXX
Upon your recommendation, I will see an Infectious Disease dr. I made an appt. and was able to get in this week.
I appreciate your expert knowledge. Im happy there are services like this.
Sincerly, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes. That is the right way forward.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
That is the right way forward.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Yes. That is the right way forward.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
That is the right way forward.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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