[Chemotherapeutic regimens that were considered effective to cure pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellulare complex].

During the period of 24 years from 1965 to 1988, we treated a total of 181 patients who had pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium avium--Mycobacterium intracellulare complex (MAI complex). Of these 181, 34 (19%) were cured showing sputum conversion and disappearance of cavity or marked reduction of cavity in the size to 1/2 or less or change of the cavity to thin-walled one. In these patients, negative culture continued at least for one year by monthly sputum examination. The most frequently used regimen in these patients was RFP + INH + SM, and the secondly RFP + INH + EVM, and thereafter multiple drug regimens including RFP + INH. The most frequently used drugs were RFP, INH, EVM, SM and EB. Based on the above results, we recommend the regimen RFP + INH + EVM + EB or RFP + INH + SM + EB, to which, if possible, were added a combination of MC + SX + KT. (As to abbreviations, refer to Table 3).