Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Recommended:

• PCP prophylaxis.

Allowed:

• GM-CSF or G-CSF.
• Erythropoietin.
• Therapies (including antiretrovirals) available through expanded access or treatment IND programs.
• Other non-experimental therapies available by prescription.
• Antihistamines other than those specifically excluded.

Patients must have:

• Evidence or diagnosis of HIV infection or a history of an AIDS-defining condition by CDC criteria.
• CD4 count <= 100 cells/mm3 within 90 days prior to study entry.
• Two baseline blood sample cultures negative for MAC within 30 days of study entry.
• No suspected disseminated MAC disease, in the opinion of the clinician.

NOTE:

• Patients with elevated GGT and/or triglycerides are allowed.

NOTE:

• Patients may co-enroll on ACTG 081/981/181, ACTG 175, ACTG 204, ACTG 193, ACTG 241, or other acceptable protocols.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Known or suspected tuberculous infection or other non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection requiring chemotherapy or chemoprophylaxis (with the exception of isoniazid prophylaxis alone).

NOTE:

• Patients may enroll who successfully completed tuberculosis (TB) treatment and have been off anti-TB drugs for more than 6 months with no symptoms of mycobacterial infection.
• Active TB.
• Known hypersensitivity to study drugs.
• Malabsorption as defined by persistent diarrhea with more than 8 stools per day for > 6 weeks.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Frequent (more than once per month), repeated, or continuous treatment courses of quinolones, erythromycin, spiramycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, or clindamycin.
• Concomitant terfenadine or astemizole.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• Prophylaxis with azithromycin, clarithromycin, or rifabutin for more than 4 months.