MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX

a disease caused by Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium intracellulare (sometimes referred to as Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare or MAI), bacteria found in soil and water. In immunosuppressed persons, the bacteria can infect the lymph nodes, intestines, bone marrow, liver, spleen, spinal fluid, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. MAC is the most common bacterial infection in persons with advanced AIDS (usually under 50-75 CD4 cells/mm3). Symptoms include diarrhea, wasting, fever, night sweats, fatigue andspleen enlargement. Clarithromycin is used as treatment and prophylaxis for MAC.