据估计,在发达国家肺部MAI疾病发生率为0.9-1.3例/10万。[7]Gilks CF, Brindle RJ, Mwachari C, et al. Disseminated mycobacterium infection among HIV-infected patients in Kenya. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 1995;8:195-198.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7834402?tool=bestpractice.comMAI淋巴结炎主要见于儿童,美国每年报道接近300例。[8]O'Brien RJ, Geiter LJ, Snider DE. The epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases in the United States: results from a national survey. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;135:1007-1014.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3579001?tool=bestpractice.com[9]Joshi W, Davidson PM, Jones PG, et al. Non-tuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis in children. Eur J Pediatr. 1989;148:751-754.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2792127?tool=bestpractice.com免疫系统正常的患者很少发生由 MAI 导致的疾病。然而,HIV 感染者一旦感染 MAI 可以快速播散并影响几乎人体任何器官(例如肝脏、脾脏和骨髓)。在联合抗逆转录病毒治疗可用之前,播散性 MAI 见于 20%-40% 的艾滋病 (AIDS) 患者。[10]Horsburgh CR, Selik RM. The epidemiology of disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989;139:4-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2912355?tool=bestpractice.com自联合抗逆转录病毒治疗问世起,HIV 感染者的 MAI 发生率已显著降低。[11]Tumbarello M, Tacconelli E, de Donati KG, et al. Changes in incidence and risk factors of Mycobacterium avium complex infections in patients with AIDS in the era of new antiretroviral therapies. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2001;20:498-501.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11561808?tool=bestpractice.com