Intermittent Treatment with Azithromycin and Ethambutol for Noncavitary Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease

We evaluated the efficacy of intermittent azithromycin and ethambutol therapy for noncavitary Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD). Twenty-nine (76%) of 38 patients achieved sputum culture conversion after 12 months of treatment, and sputum smear positivity was an independent factor for failure to achieve culture conversion (adjusted odds ratio, 26.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 339.9; P = 0.011). Intermittent azithromycin and ethambutol may be an optional treatment regimen for noncavitary MAC-PD.