What are the other mycobacterial diseases seen in HIV-positive Individuals?
The most common atypical mycobacterium seen in HIV/AIDS in the Western countries is Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Infection with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) may cause a serious disseminated bacterial infection in up to 40% of patients with advanced HIV infection. These organisms typically cause extra-pulmonary, often disseminated, disease in HIV-infected persons,although pulmonary disease may also occur. The occurrence of MAC is less frequent in AIDS patients in high TB burden countries, which may be due to differences in the prevalence of this organism and differences in immunity. The most common clinical manifestations include fever, weight loss, and pulmonary involvement.
