Clarithromycin Therapy for Bacteremic Mycobacterium avium Complex Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Dose-Ranging Study in Patients with AIDS

Objective: To determine the antimicrobial activity and tolerability of clarithromycin for treating bacteremic Mycobacterium avium complex disease in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Design: A randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging study. Setting: Outpatient clinics. Patients: 154 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and blood cultures positive for M. avium complex who had symptomatic disease. Interventions: Random assignment to clarithromycin at dosages of 500 mg, 1000 mg, or 2000 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. Main Outcome Measure: Median number of colony-forming units of M. avium complex per milliliter of blood