Biomaterial Database

Antigens of the Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare complex. 1991

S L Morris

Laboratory of Mycobacteria and Cellular Immunology, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892.

In the past decade, the clinical significance of the Mycobacterium avium, Myobacterium intracellulare complex (MAC) has increased dramatically primarily because of the association between the MAC and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Recent hospital reports have suggested that about one-half of AIDS patients in the United States are infected with the MAC. The resulting myobacteremia is a primary cause of mortality in 5-10% of these patients. This increased clinical importance of the MAC has generated renewed interest in MAC immunobiology. In this review, recent immunological and biochemical characterizations of four classes of dominant myobacterial antigens - glycopeptidolipids, arabinogalactan, lipoarabinomannan and MAC proteins - is examined. In addition, future prospects for improved diagnosis of MAC disease using defined monospecific antigens is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome	An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993.	AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency
D000942	Antigens, Bacterial	Substances elaborated by bacteria that have antigenic activity.	Bacterial Antigen,Bacterial Antigens,Antigen, Bacterial
D015269	Mycobacterium avium Complex	A complex that includes several strains of M. avium. M. intracellulare is not easily distinguished from M. avium and therefore is included in the complex. These organisms are most frequently found in pulmonary secretions from persons with a tuberculous-like mycobacteriosis. Strains of this complex have also been associated with childhood lymphadenitis and AIDS; M. avium alone causes tuberculosis in a variety of birds and other animals, including pigs.	Battey Bacillus,MAIC,Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare,Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Complex,Mycobacterium intracellulare,Nocardia intracellularis
D015270	Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection	A nontuberculous infection when occurring in humans. It is characterized by pulmonary disease, lymphadenitis in children, and systemic disease in AIDS patients. Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection of birds and swine results in tuberculosis.	Mycobacterium intracellulare Infection,Infection, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare,Infection, Mycobacterium intracellulare,Mycobacterium avium intracellulare Infection,Infection, Mycobacterium avium intracellulare,Infections, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare,Infections, Mycobacterium intracellulare,Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infections,Mycobacterium intracellulare Infections