Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) is an infection that is caused by a known group of bacteria composed of Mycobacterium intracellulare and Mycobacterium avium. This makes them also a part of the nontuberculous mycobacterium group (bacteria that do not cause tuberculosis or leprosy, but do cause pulmonary diseases that are similar to tuberculosis).
This disease is known to affect humans together, therefore being grouped as a complex. These groups of bacteria are commonly found in fresh and salt waters, in household dust and in soil. This results in a disease called Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection or Mycobacterium avium complex.
The bacteria is transferred via inhalation (airborne) or if swallowed (liquid state); however, this will only infect people who are immunocompromised (also known as immunodeficiency, meaning that one’s immune system is unable to combat infectious disease and cancer) or with severe lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Meanwhile, the infection causes COPD and lymphadenitis, which severely affects people with immunodeficiency.
