All, anyone here have any experience with conventional lab tests? I have some puzzling results. Basically my lab tests came back from a lung/bronchial sputum test that showed that the "Fungus Direct KOH(OTH)" showed no fungal elements seen. I'm guessing that this part is the standard KOH test done for fungal infection. The next part confusese me.

However, right below that line, it says "Organisms isolated: Mold to be identified".

Does anyone know why this would be the case--not show up in the KOH test, but something be found otherwise? Any lab experts around here?

My symptoms: Been having congestion in the bronchial tubes and sinuses. Not allergy necessarily, but recurring bronchitis and such. Even when the bronchitis clears up, I still have some sort of residual infection it feels like, possibly in the trachea or bronchial tubes.

I'm irritated because my doctor originally said the results were negative. But I looked at them more closely and found the other line. When I pointed this out to her, she called the lab and the lab said it could be mold, or could not be mold, but will take 6 to 8 weeks to identify (from October 14, 2011). Meanwhile, I suffer in waiting.

Thank you.