Recurrence of Mycobacterium avium infection in patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and antimycobacterial agents.

The known effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on opportunistic infections (OIs) range from immune restoration disease to remission of specific OIs. In the present study, Mycobacterium avium complex infection recurred in 3 patients receiving antimycobacterial therapy and HAART. At the time of the initial M. avium infection, the mean CD4 cell count was 22.3 cells/mm3, and the HIV viral load was 181,133 copies/mL. Relapse occurred a mean of 14. 3 months after the first episode; the mean follow-up CD4 cell count was 89/mm3 (mean elevation of 66 cells/mm3), and the HIV viral load was <400 copies/mL in each patient. M. avium was isolated from blood (1 patient), blood and lymph node (1), and small-bowel tissue (1). M. avium infection may recur as a generalized or focal disease in those who are receiving antimycobacterial agents but whose HAART-associated CD4 cell recovery, although significant, is not optimal.