The Role of Clarithromycin in the Prophylaxis of Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium‐Intracellulare Infection in Patients with AIDS

Abstract

Clarithromycin is a first‐line agent in the treatment of disseminated disease due to Mycobacterium avium‐intracellulare (dMAC) in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and its role in dMAC prophylaxis is nearing definition. Fifteen abstracts described clinical outcomes when clarithromycin was given in various dosages as monoprophylaxis or in combination with other agents. Patients totaled 1063, the majority of whom had CD4+ counts of 100 cells/mm3 or below. In one study, MAC disease occurred in 4.5% of 343 clarithromycin‐treated patients compared with 12.6% of 341 receiving placebo (p<0.001). The remaining studies combined to report only two positive blood cultures, one positive sputum culture, and one positive culture of unidentified origin during their respective study periods. Gastrointestinal intolerance caused discontinuation of therapy in 21 (2.9%) of 722 patients receiving clarithromycin. Clinical evaluations show that the drug decreases the risk of dMAC, prolongs survival, and is well tolerated. Controlled clinical trials continue.