Clues to the early diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract

Four patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with bacillemia from Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare presented with early pathologic clues of a disseminated mycobacterial infection. All had persistent fevers with negative diagnostic workups for other usual pathogens seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Two patients had prolonged clearance of the bacillemia on a drug regimen of ansamycin, clofazimine, and amikacin sulfate.