Atypical mycobacterial infections.

Abstract

Atypical mycobacterial infections play an important role in human pathogenicity. Mycobacterium avium complex has been reported to occur in 17% to 50% of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus. In the southwestern United States, Mycobacterium kansasii is reported to be a predominate mycobacterial infection in middle-aged men. The epidemiology of the pathological species is discussed along with current recommendations for chemotherapeutic regimens.