title: Treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections: role of clarithromycin and azithromycin.
abstract: The incidence of identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria has increased since the advent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic. Although Mycobacterium avium complex appears to be responsible for most episodes of nontuberculous disease, several other previously rare species are increasingly being detected, including Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium fortuitum/chelonei complex, and Mycobacterium genavense. This review briefly summarizes the epidemiology and clinical features of these infections, as well as therapeutic and preventive strategies in immunosuppressed patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Of clinical relevance, nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are difficult to treat and do not respond to traditional antituberculous agents. The search for more effective treatment regimens is ongoing in an attempt to enhance survival and reduce morbidity among immunocompromised patients. Novel antimicrobial combinations that include clarithromycin or azithromycin have been shown to be effective in treating several nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tartaglione
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum; D019909:Mycobacterium kansasii
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin; D017291:Clarithromycin