Effect of Combined Clofazimine and Ansamycin Therapy on Mycobacterium avium—Mycobacterium intracellulare Bacteremia in Patients with AIDS

Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellulare (MAI) is a frequent opportunistic pathogen in patients with AIDS and occurs in 40% of patients with AIDS who are autopsied at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). MAI has been found in virtually all organs, including bone marrow, lymph node, lung, liver, spleen bowel, skin, kidney, and brain. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of drug combinations that include both clofazimine and ansamycin on one objective measurement of MAI infection - a positive culture of blood - to provide a preliminary insight into the use of such regimens for treating this infection.