title: Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex: correlation between blood and tissue burden.
abstract: To determine the relationship between levels of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in blood and tissues, histopathologic examination and quantitative MAC cultures were done on blood samples and tissue samples of 7 organs at autopsy of 10 AIDS patients who had been treated for MAC bacteremia. Blood and tissue cultures were negative for MAC for 3 of the patients and positive for 7. The numbers of MAC colony-forming units in the blood and tissues were highly correlated. The highest concentrations of MAC were observed in the reticuloendothelial organs, with a maximum of 6.9 log10 cfu/g in mesenteric lymph nodes and 6.8 log10 cfu/g in spleen. Histopathologic findings paralleled quantitative cultures and were consistent with entry of MAC via lymphatics through the gastrointestinal tract, followed by hematogenous dissemination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Torriani
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Behling
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McCutchan
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Haubrich
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Havlir
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001344:Autopsy; D016470:Bacteremia; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000254:growth & development*; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017291:Clarithromycin