This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Mycobacterial Diseases (TB, Leprosy and MAC), Subject name: Pharmacology
A patient with AIDS and a CD4 cell count of 100/ml, has a persistent fever and a weight loss associated with invasive pulmonary disease due to M avium complex. Optimal management of this case requires: 
Select and explain. 
A. Select an antibiotic regimen based on drug susceptibility of the cultured organism, B. Sta treatment with isoniazid and rifampicin, C. Treat the patient with clarithromycin, ethambutol and rifabutin, D. Treat with trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole
C: Treat the patient with clarithromycin, ethambutol and rifabutin
Answer: C: Treat the patient with clarithromycin, ethambutol and rifabutin 
Explanation: Mycobacterium avium complex infection is treated with combination of rifabutin, ethambutol and clarithromycin. (REC) These drugs are given once daily. Clarithromycin can be replaced with azithromycin which is long acting and can be administered once a week.