Being Alive; April 1992 presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Disseminated MAC is being seen more and more in people with AIDS. In Los Angeles County, MAC has become the number one cause of death from AIDS, exceeding PCP, toxoplasmosis, and other opportunistic infections. Now, a study out of Atlanta confirms the increasing incidence of MAC. Researchers at Grady Memorial Hospital looked at the medical records of all PWAs who had been patients since 1985. In 1985-88, only 5.7% had MAC. By 1989-90, however, the percentage of PWAs with MAC had risen to 23.3. Researchers also noted that all patients with MAC had T-cell counts less than one hundred.
What is the explanation for this increasing incidence? There clearly is not more MAC around. Rather, we now have better treatments and prophylaxis for many of the other opportunistic infections. As we keep people alive longer, other OIs, such as MAC, emerge. In addition, physicians are now more aggressive in looking for MAC and this also may account for the increasing incidence.
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AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Roxane Laboratories, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1992. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.