Recommendations have been issued for AIDS patients with disseminated MAC to be treated with at least two antimycobacterial agents and for every regimen to include a macrolide (clarithromycin or azithromycin). However, the optimal treatment for disseminated MAC remains unknown.~Patients are randomized to receive clarithromycin at one of two doses plus ethambutol and either rifabutin or clofazimine. Patients are followed at 1, 2, and 4 months and every 4 months thereafter for a minimum of 1.5 years to a common closing date.
To compare the safety and efficacy of two doses of clarithromycin in combination with ethambutol and either rifabutin or clofazimine for the treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) disease in AIDS patients.~Recommendations have been issued for AIDS patients with disseminated MAC to be treated with at least two antimycobacterial agents and for every regimen to include a macrolide (clarithromycin or azithromycin). However, the optimal treatment for disseminated MAC remains unknown.