Phase II Study of Amithiozone (Thiacetazone) for Patients With Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Progressive pulmonary disease due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) as defined by: Three of more sputum culture(s) positive for MAC Change in serial chest roentgenograms consistent with active mycobacterial disease over a 12 week period No other obvious cause of pulmonary disease Patients must have organisms that are: Susceptible to amithiozone AND Susceptible or moderately susceptible to the combination of rifampin and ethambutol, and to clarithromycin and streptomycin --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- No likelihood of resectional thoracic surgery within 24 weeks of evaluation --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 18 and over Performance status: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 3 times normal SGOT/SGPT less than 3 times normal Alkaline phosphatase less than 3 times normal Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 30 mL/min Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure Other: No optic disease that precludes the use of ethambutol No hypersensitivity to rifampin, ethambutol, clarithromycin, streptomycin, or amithiozone HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing