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Does Mycobacterium Avium Complex Disease Affects Lungs Especially While Coughing?

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Posted on Sun, 24 Nov 2013
Twitter Sun, 24 Nov 2013 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 19 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : I have MAC and I want to know if the lungs hurts especially when I cough/
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Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (3 hours later)
Brief Answer: there may be chest pain if pleura is involved. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX, I`m sure by MAC you mean mycobacterium avium complex disease of the lungs. It`s a atypical mycobacterim infection generally affecting dtseased lungs, elderly and those who have compromised immunity. The lung disease generally presents as cough with sputum production, blood in sputum, fever, weight loss and generalized malaise. Pain chest is present if there is superadded bacterial chest infection with involvement of pleura. It is difficult to treat and runs an indolent course. Treatment is with 2 or 3 antimicrobials, preferrably like macrolides, rifampin and etambutol. Treatment has to be taken for at least 12 months.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (8 hours later)
Which are the best antibiotics for MAC. I could'n use ETHAMBUTOL because it affected my optic nerve. I think I have MAC in my arms. How it can be detected?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (14 hours later)
Brief Answer: MAC is treated with a combination of 2 to 3 drugs. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX, MAC infection is treated with a combination of 2 to 3 antibiotics to avoid development of resistance. So far the most superior combination is of macrolide, rifampin and etambutol. Other available drugs are aminoglycoside, fluroquinolones,clofazimine and linezolid. Fluroquinolones and clofazimine should be used as second line drugs(in case of resistance) as their efficacy is less than the other drugs. Since you are not tolerating ethambutol, you must consult your treating physician or your pulmonologist who will chalk out the best combination for you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shashi Dangwal

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Practicing since :1979

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Does Mycobacterium Avium Complex Disease Affects Lungs Especially While Coughing?

Brief Answer: there may be chest pain if pleura is involved. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX, I`m sure by MAC you mean mycobacterium avium complex disease of the lungs. It`s a atypical mycobacterim infection generally affecting dtseased lungs, elderly and those who have compromised immunity. The lung disease generally presents as cough with sputum production, blood in sputum, fever, weight loss and generalized malaise. Pain chest is present if there is superadded bacterial chest infection with involvement of pleura. It is difficult to treat and runs an indolent course. Treatment is with 2 or 3 antimicrobials, preferrably like macrolides, rifampin and etambutol. Treatment has to be taken for at least 12 months.