A study of discontinuing maintenance therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects with disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex: AIDS Clinical Trial Group 393 Study Team

J Infect Dis. 2003 Apr 1;187(7):1046-52. doi: 10.1086/368413. Epub 2003 Mar 14.

Abstract

The present nonrandomized prospective study evaluated whether antimycobacterial therapy for disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) could be withdrawn from human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects who experienced immunologic recovery while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Eligible subjects had received macrolide-based therapy for least 12 months, were asymptomatic for MAC, had received HAART for at least 16 weeks, and had CD4+ T cell counts >100 cells/microL. Forty-eight subjects were enrolled, with a median CD4+ T cell count of 240 cells/microL at the time of discontinuation of MAC therapy. Forty-seven subjects remained MAC free, whereas 1 subject developed localized MAC osteomyelitis. The median duration of follow-up while not receiving therapy was 77 weeks, and the incidence of MAC infection was 1.44/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 0.04-8.01). Withdrawal of anti-MAC therapy appears to be safe in patients who have been treated with a macrolide-based regimen for at least 1 year and have an immunologic response on HAART.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / complications
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium avium Complex / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / complications*
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / drug therapy*
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-HIV Agents