title: Case report. Diagnosis of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection by liver biopsy.
abstract: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is a common complication of HIV/AIDS. Signs and symptoms of this infection are nonspecific and include fever, weight loss, diarrhea, and abnormal levels of liver enzymes, especially elevated alkaline phosphatase levels. Diagnosis can be achieved through several methods, but liver biopsy may be the most rapid and efficient. We present a case that illustrates the potential value of liver biopsy in diagnosing disseminated MAC infection.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente, Cold Springs, Md., USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rastegar
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Nicol
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors