Two controlled trials of rifabutin prophylaxis against Mycobacterium avium complex infection in AIDS

The drug rifabutin may prevent Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) complex infections in some AIDS patients. This infection strikes many AIDS patients and causes considerable complications. Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of rifabutin in preventing M. avium complex infections in two studies. All the patients studied had AIDS and CD4 cell counts less than 200 per cubic millimeter. A total of 1,146 patients were randomized to take either 300 milligram of rifabutin each day or a placebo, or inactive substance. They were followed for several years. In both studies, only 8% to 9% of the patients taking rifabutin developed an M. avium complex infection, compared to 17% to 18% of those taking a placebo. Survival rates were essentially similar in the two studies.