RAPID RESPONSE OF AIDS-RELATED BACILLARY ANGIOMATOSIS TO AZITHROMYCIN

A 28-year-old male with AIDS and a CD4 cell count of 100/mm3 presented with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, and multiple, polypoid, angiomatous lesions on his face. It was determined by means of biopsy that the lesions were due to bacillary angiomatosis. The patient was t reated with oral azithromycin (1 g daily as a single dose). Rapid reso lution of the skin lesions was noted. After 1 week of therapy, diminut ion in the size of the liver and spleen was noted. The only significan t side effect noted was diarrhea, which was controlled with symptomati c therapy.