MYCOBACTERIUM-AVIUM-INTRACELLULARE

Disseminated infection caused by the Mycobacterium avium complex is a common cause of symptomatic illness in AIDS patients. The occurrence o f disseminated M. avium complex is closely associated with advanced im munosuppression, and is an independent risk factor for early mortality . The efficacy of the new macrolides for treatment of active disease a nd rifabutin for prevention of desseminated M. avium complex have grea tly improved our ability to combat this debilitating illness.