Rare Rheumatology News
Advertisement
Disease Profile
Mycobacterium Avium Complex infections
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.
#N/A
Age of onset
#N/A
ICD-10
#N/A
Inheritance
Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.
Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.
X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.
X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.
Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.
Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.
Not applicable
Other names (AKA)
Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare; MAI; Mycobacterium Avium;
Categories
Bacterial infections
Summary
Mycobacterium
There are 3 types of MAC infections.
- Pulmonary MAC infections Affect the lungs and are the most common type. These mainly affect elderly women and people who already have lung disease.[2][3]
- Disseminated MAC infections Have spread throughout the body. This type is usually seen in people with advanced AIDS.[1]
- MAC-associated lymphadenitis Causes swelling of the
lymph nodes (especially in the neck) and is the most common in young children who have normal immune systems.[3][4]
While the symptoms are different for each type of infection, general symptoms include fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. MAC bacteria are found in water, soil, and dust. They infect people when the bacteria are inhaled or swallowed.[1][5] MAC bacteria are not usually spread from person to person. MAC infections are diagnosed by a combination of
Symptoms
The symptoms of pulmonary MAC infection start slowly, get worse over time and may last for weeks to months. People with pulmonary MAC infections may experience
Symptoms of disseminated MAC infection include: [1][4]
- Fever
- Sweating
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal pain
Anemia
People with disseminated MAC infection may also have symptoms associated with an infection of the breast
Cause
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of disseminated MAC infection is suspected based on symptoms and is confirmed in cultures of blood and often
A diagnosis of MAC lymphadenitis is confirmed by finding the bacteria in the culture of lymph node cells. These cells are collected by a
Treatment
- Pulmonary MAC infection, which affects the lungs
- Disseminated MAC infection, which affects many different parts of the body
- MAC lymphadenitis, which causes swollen
lymph nodes
Treatment options for MAC infections vary by type of infection and by the presence of other medical conditions such as AIDS, cystic fibrosis, COPD, or
Pulmonary MAC infections and disseminated MAC infections are usually treated with a combination of
For people who have both HIV/AIDS and a MAC infection, treatment usually involves a combination of different antibiotics for the MAC infection and antiretroviral therapy to treat the HIV infection.[1][4]
In special circumstances, there is some evidence to suggest that surgery to remove a single spot of infection in one lung can be helpful in people who have had a poor response to drug therapy. Surgery is usually only done when the infection is found in only one lung and the surgery won't cause any long-term harm.[3][4]
Treatment of MAC lymphadenitis usually involves surgical removal of affected lymph nodes. Antibiotics may also be prescribed depending on the severity of infection and the response to surgery.[3][4]
FDA-Approved Treatments
The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products.
- Liposomal amikacin(Brand name: Arikayce) Manufactured by Insmed Incorporated
FDA-approved indication: September 2018, liposomal amikacin (Arikayce) was approved for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen in patients who do not achieve negative sputum cultures after a minimum of 6 consecutive months of a multidrug background regimen therapy.
National Library of Medicine Drug Information Portal
Medline Plus Health Information
Organizations
Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.
Organizations Supporting this Disease
-
NTM Info & Research (supports pulmonary NTM infections)
550 Madruga Avenue, Suite 230
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Telephone: 305-667-6461, ext 26 and 32
E-mail: ntmmail@ntminfo.org
Website: https://www.ntminfo.org/
Learn more
These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.
Where to Start
- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.
In-Depth Information
- Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
- The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Mycobacterium Avium Complex infections. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
- The AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) offers information on Mycobacterium Avium Complex infections. Click on the link to view this information page.
References
- Currier JS. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections in HIV-infected patients. UpToDate. 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/mycobacterium-avium-complex-mac-infections-in-hiv-infected-patients.
- Griffith DE. Overview of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in HIV-negative patients. UpToDate. 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-nontuberculous-mycobacterial-infections-in-hiv-negative-patients.
- Daley CL. Mycobacterium avium Complex Disease. Microbiol Spectr. April, 2017; 5(2):https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28429679.
- Koirala J. Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare. Medscape Reference. 2018; https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/222664-overview.
- Disseminated mycobacterium avium complex disease. US Department of Health and Human Services. 2017; https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/4/adult-and-adolescent-opportunistic-infection/326/mac.
- Diel R, Lipman M, Hoefsloot W. High mortality in patients with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: a systematic review. BMC Infect Dis. 2018; 18(206):1-10. https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12879-018-3113-x.
Rare Rheumatology News