Mycobacterium avium Complex
Categorization | |
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Cell Wall: Acid-fast | Shape: Rod |
Life Cycle: Facultative Intracellular |
Overview |
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- Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare are similar organisms frequently referred to as the M. avium Complex or (MAC). MAC organisms are widely distributed in the environment and rarely cause clinical disease in immunocompetent individuals. However, particularly in AIDS Patients, disseminated disease can occur resulting foci of infection in multiple organs as well as bacteremia.