| med. |
An infection caused by a group of bacteria called Mycobacterium avium complex MAC. MAC include Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and other similar Mycobacteria. MAC bacteria can be found in drinking water, dirt, and household dust. MAC infection usually starts in the lungs and intestines, but can spread throughout the body disseminated. Symptoms of disseminated MAC infection include fever, night sweats, weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue, and diarrhea. Most people with healthy immune systems are not affected by the bacteria. In people infected with HIV, MAC infection that is outside of the lungs extrapulmonary or that has disseminated is an AIDS-defining condition. see also AIDS-defining condition, mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare MAI infection, opportunistic infection |
