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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does The Xray Result Showing Fibrotic Infiltration In Upper Left Lobe Indicate?

Good day to you. The result of my x-ray last week says that i have a PTB - minimal with undetermined activity. Also says that I have fibrotic infiltration in my upper left lobe. I remember about 24 years ago, that I had the same x-ray result, PTB minimal but it was ruled out after I underwent medications. My question is, do I have to be bothered about my recent x-ray result? was my recent x-ray result has any connection with my previous x-ray result findings? pls advice. Thanks a lot.
Mon, 3 Mar 2014
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Paucibacillary and multibacillary tuberculosis are two types of tuberculosis based on the bacterial load.
Paucibacillary implies low bacterial load and multibacillary implies very high bacterial load.
Te causative agent for tuberculosis is bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Infection with the bacteria is very common but not all develop the disease.
According to your history you have developed tuberculosis in past and you have also taken treatment for it.
Medication (anti-tubercular therapy) clears away the infection, but the healing process is characterised by fibrotic bands in the lung parenchyma.
These fibrotic bands fade with time but do not disappear permanently.
Tuberculosis is characterised by fibrotic bands in the lung parenchyma.
Thus, these fibrotic bands can be due to previous tuberculosis.
As you have mentioned that you have developed paucibacillary tuberculosis again.
You need to take treatment for the fresh infection.
Before that you need to get sputum examination for isolation of mycobacterium.
Fibrotic bands will fade with treatment.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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What Does The Xray Result Showing Fibrotic Infiltration In Upper Left Lobe Indicate?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Paucibacillary and multibacillary tuberculosis are two types of tuberculosis based on the bacterial load. Paucibacillary implies low bacterial load and multibacillary implies very high bacterial load. Te causative agent for tuberculosis is bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infection with the bacteria is very common but not all develop the disease. According to your history you have developed tuberculosis in past and you have also taken treatment for it. Medication (anti-tubercular therapy) clears away the infection, but the healing process is characterised by fibrotic bands in the lung parenchyma. These fibrotic bands fade with time but do not disappear permanently. Tuberculosis is characterised by fibrotic bands in the lung parenchyma. Thus, these fibrotic bands can be due to previous tuberculosis. As you have mentioned that you have developed paucibacillary tuberculosis again. You need to take treatment for the fresh infection. Before that you need to get sputum examination for isolation of mycobacterium. Fibrotic bands will fade with treatment. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal