Medication Summary

Although no standardized treatment exists, a regimen that includes a combination of at least 2 drugs with low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against M haemophilum is preferred.

A 3-drug combination of ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and rifampin or rifabutin has been used for cutaneous disease in bone marrow transplant recipients. No standard treatment exists; optimal treatment time is unknown.

Class Summary

Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.

Clarithromycin (Biaxin XL)

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Macrolide with activity against various nontuberculous mycobacteria. Binds to bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis.

Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)

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Important drug used in the treatment of infection with M tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

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Fluoroquinolone that inhibits bacterial DNA synthesis and, consequently, growth. Other quinolones such as levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, and ofloxacin may also be effective.

Amikacin (Amikin)

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Expected to be a powerful drug for mycobacteremia. Starting amikacin may be beneficial at least as long as the patient is septic.

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Shirin A Mazumder, MD, FIDSA Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Infectious Disease Fellowship Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Methodist Physicians

Shirin A Mazumder, MD, FIDSA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of HIV Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, HIV Medicine Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Memphis Medical Society, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Aaron E Glatt, MD, MACP, FIDSA, FSHEA Chairman, Department of Medicine, Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Epidemiologist, Mount Sinai South Nassau; Professor of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Aaron E Glatt, MD, MACP, FIDSA, FSHEA is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Physician Leadership, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Thoracic Society, American Venereal Disease Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International AIDS Society, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD Professor, Chief of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, International Immunocompromised Host Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Natalie C Klein, MD, PhD Associate Director, Infectious Disease Division, Associate Professor of Medicine, The School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center

Natalie C Klein, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, New York County Medical Society, American Medical Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Klaus-Dieter Lessnau, MD, FCCP Former Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, Director of Research in Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital

Klaus-Dieter Lessnau, MD, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Thoracic Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sections Mycobacterium haemophilum Infection
Overview
Presentation
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Medication
References

Mycobacterium haemophilum Infection Medication

Medication Summary

Antimicrobial agents