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Original ArticleOpen Access
Prevalence of Disseminated Mycobacterium A vium Complex Infection in Thai AIDS Patients
Chuchottaworn C 
,
Sathapatayawongs B ,
Tansuphsawadikul S ,
Suwanagool S ,
Kantipong P ,
Pornchaipoonthavee S
,
Sathapatayawongs B ,
Tansuphsawadikul S ,
Suwanagool S ,
Kantipong P ,
Pornchaipoonthavee S Infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), although rare in immuno-competent
individuals, can potentially produce problems in immunocompromised patients such as
those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this study, hemocultures for mycobacteria
using radiometric BACTEC 13A media were taken from 334 patients with known human
immunodeficiency virus infection admitted to four referral hospitals with fever of unknown site of
infection and negative blood cultures for pathogenic bacteria. The mycobacterial hemocultures
were positive for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in 58 patients ( 17.4%) and positive for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 34 patients (10.2%). The results of this study have proved that
MAC infection, indeed, exists among Thai AIDS patients. The prevalence of MAC infection in
Thailand is very high and comparable to that in the western countries. Physicians taking care of
AIDS patients in Thailand should be aware of potential MAC infection, particularly in advanced
cases. Considering the high prevalence of infection, primary prophylaxis against MAC infection
in advanced AIDS patients is recommended.
Key word : Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Thailand
individuals, can potentially produce problems in immunocompromised patients such as
those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this study, hemocultures for mycobacteria
using radiometric BACTEC 13A media were taken from 334 patients with known human
immunodeficiency virus infection admitted to four referral hospitals with fever of unknown site of
infection and negative blood cultures for pathogenic bacteria. The mycobacterial hemocultures
were positive for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in 58 patients ( 17.4%) and positive for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 34 patients (10.2%). The results of this study have proved that
MAC infection, indeed, exists among Thai AIDS patients. The prevalence of MAC infection in
Thailand is very high and comparable to that in the western countries. Physicians taking care of
AIDS patients in Thailand should be aware of potential MAC infection, particularly in advanced
cases. Considering the high prevalence of infection, primary prophylaxis against MAC infection
in advanced AIDS patients is recommended.
Key word : Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Thailand
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