Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) is an atypical mycobacterial infection which can occur in the later stages of AIDS. It can also affect people who do not have AIDS and usually first presents as a persistent cough. Additionally, cases in elderly men have increased recently. It is typically treated with a series of 3 antibiotics for a period of at least 6 months.
It is a saprotrophic organism that is present in soil and water, entry is usua...
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Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) is an atypical mycobacterial infection which can occur in the later stages of AIDS. It can also affect people who do not have AIDS and usually first presents as a persistent cough. Additionally, cases in elderly men have increased recently. It is typically treated with a series of 3 antibiotics for a period of at least 6 months.
It is a saprotrophic organism that is present in soil and water, entry is usually via the GI tract but also can be via the lungs.
It causes fevers, diarrhea, malabsorption and anorexia and it can disseminate to the bone marrow. Therapy for MAI is disappointing as it is typically resistant to standard mycobacterial therapies.
MAC bacteria are common in the environment and cause infection when inhaled or swallowed. Symptoms of MAC diseases are reminiscent of tuberculosis. They include fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Many patients will have anemia and neutropenia if bone marrow is involved. Pulmonary involvement is...
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