Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) causes disseminated disease almost exclusively in patients with CD4+ T-cell counts below:

• A 500 cells/µL
• B 200 cells/µL
• C 100 cells/µL
• D 50 cells/µL ✓

Explanation

Disseminated MAC (DMAC) is an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection that essentially only occurs when the CD4 count falls below 50 cells/µL. The organism is ubiquitous in soil and water; MAC bacteremia presents with prolonged fever, drenching night sweats, weight loss, diarrhea, hepatosplenomegaly, and marked elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase. Prophylaxis with azithromycin is recommended when CD4 drops below 50 cells/µL.

Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.