Special Investigation of Clarith/Klaricid in Patients With Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Infections

Background: The revised 2007 American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines recommend a clarithromycin-based combination therapy for treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease and stipulate approximately 1 year of continuous treatment after bacilli negative conversion. However, supporting data are insufficient. Objectives: To obtain data on the clinical outcome of clarithromycin-based regimens by conducting a nationwide prospective study mainly of MAC lung disease. Methods: In accordance with the guidelines, patients were enrolled in this survey according to their chest radiographic findings and microbiologic test results. They were treated with a multi-drug regimen including clarithromycin, rifampicin, and ethambutol (clarithromycin -based regimen) until bacilli negative conversion on continual treatment for 1 year. Data were collected "pre-administration," "on the bacilli negative conversion," and "at 6 months after the end of treatment."