Diagnosis can be achieved through blood cultures or cultures of other bodily fluids such as sputum. Bone marrow culture can often yield an earlier diagnosis but is usually avoided as an initial diagnostic step because of its invasiveness. Many people will have anemia and neutropenia if the bone marrow is involved. MAC bacteria should always be considered in a person with HIV<unk>  presenting with diarrhea. The diagnosis requires consistent symptoms with two additional signs: * Chest X-ray or CT scan showing evidence of right middle lobe (or left lingular lobe) lung<unk>  * Sputum culture or bronchoalveolar lavage culture demonstrating the<unk>  is caused by MAC Disseminated MAC is most readily diagnosed by one positive blood culture. Blood cultures should be performed in patients with symptoms, signs, or laboratory abnormalities compatible with<unk><unk> . Blood cultures are not routinely recommended for asymptomatic persons, even for those who have CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts less than 100 cells/uL. HIV<unk>  MAC in patients with HIV disease is theorized to represent recent acquisition rather than latent<unk>  reactivating (which is the case in many other opportunistic<unk> s in immunocompromised patients). The risk of MAC is inversely related to the patient's CD4 count and increases significantly when the CD4 count decreases below 50 cells/mm³. Other risk factors for acquisition of MAC<unk>  include using an indoor swimming pool, consumption of raw or partially cooked fish or shellfish, bronchoscopy and treatment with granulocyte stimulating factor. Disseminated disease was previously the common presentation prior to the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Today, in regions where HAART is the standard of care, localized disease presentation is more likely. This generally includes a focal lymphadenopathy/lymphadenitis.
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
Primary inoculation tuberculosis
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Pseudomonas infection
Tuberculosis