Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is group of organisms causing abacterial infectionthat leads to lung disease.
However, vulnerable demographics can develop severe lung infections when they come into contact with the bacteria.
Over time, that damage worsens, making it a progressive infection.
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This leads to recurrent infections, such aspneumoniaorbronchitis.
MAC Diagnosis vs. ## Long-Term MAC Treatment
Treatment for MAC isnt always done at the first sign of infection.
Instead, healthcare providers will have a go at determine the progression of the disease before offering treatment options.
They do this to avoid giving unnecessaryantibiotictreatments to those who will wipe the infection on their own.
Typically, the doses are given three times per week or daily.
How Effective Is Treatment?
Success rates for treatment vary depending on the individual and disease severity.
If antibiotic treatment is not effective, surgery may be beneficial for those with the infection.
Surgery can be used to remove damaged areas of the lung or to stop persistent bleeding.
Reasons for Severe, Prolonged, or Recurrent Infection
If MAC is not fully treatedrecurrent infectionsare possible.
Antibiotic Resistance and MAC
In some cases,antibiotic resistancemay develop in those with MAC infections.
This means that the antibiotics no longer work for the same strain of the bacteria.
It usually happens with one specific drug, macrolide monotherapy, and changes the course of treatment.
Other antibiotics will then have to be used to treat MAC infections.
The damage to the lungs is also often irreversible, leading to lifetime issues with the lungs and breathing.
People with more advanced diseases are at the highest risk of death sparked by MAC infections.
MAC-attributable mortality is difficult to discern and it varies in different studies from 5% to 40%.
Summary
MAC is a bacterial infection that causes lung damage and scarring.
The several bacteria that make up MAC are highly prevalent and can be inhaled every day.
However, in healthy people, it doesn’t cause any issues.
Treatment involves antibiotics, as they are the only drugs used to counter bacterial infections.
Since MAC can be severe, there is a 25% mortality rate associated with the disease.
American Lung Association.Learn about nontuberculous (NTM) lung disease.
Boyle DP, Zembower TR, Qi C.Relapse versus reinfection ofmycobacterium aviumcomplex pulmonary disease.
Patient characteristics and macrolide susceptibility.
