Mycobacterium avium complex


Mycobacterium avium complex

A group of genetically related mycobacteria including M avium, M intracellulare and M avium subspecies paratuberculosis.

Mycobacterium avium complex

Abbreviation: MAC, MAI
An atypical mycobacterium that causes systemic bacterial infection in patients with advanced immunosuppression, esp. those with AIDS. It occasionally causes lung infections in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Synonym: Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex

Symptoms

MAC infection in AIDS patients can cause fatigue, fever, weight loss, cachexia, pancytopenia, and death.

Treatment

Multiple antimicrobial agents, given at the same time and for long courses, are required to treat MAC. Combination therapy may include a macrolide with drugs such as rifabutin, ethambutol, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and/or clofazimine.

See also: complex