Comparison of antituberculosis drug regimens for lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex.

A total of 123 patients with moderately advanced, cavitary lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex untreated previously received different regimens of antituberculosis agents. The rate of sputum conversion (continuously negative cultures for six months or more) was compared among the regimens. It was shown that the regimens of rifampin + isoniazid + streptomycin and rifampin + isoniazid + enviomycin were superior to the regimens of streptomycin + isoniazid + p-aminosalicylate, isoniazid alone or isoniazid + p-aminosalicylate. This finding demonstrated that the regimens including rifampin, isoniazid and streptomycin or enviomycin were really effective in the initial treatment of lung disease caused by M avium complex.