Response to Switch from Intermittent Therapy to Daily Therapy for Refractory Nodular Bronchiectatic Mycobacterium avium Complex Lung Disease

Abstract

Intermittent three-times-weekly antibiotic therapy is recommended for the initial treatment of patients with noncavitary nodular bronchiectatic Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease. Although some experts recommend switching from intermittent to daily therapy for patients whose sputum has persistent positive cultures after intermittent therapy, the clinical efficacy of these modifications is unknown. Of 20 patients whose sputum had persistent positive cultures after 12 months of intermittent antibiotic therapy, specimens from 6 patients (30%) achieved a negative culture after a change to daily therapy.