Experience with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage as a diagnostic tool in children with AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To report our experience with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage in children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and acute lower respiratory tract disease.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Children's Medical Center of Brooklyn, NY, a tertiary-level inner-city hospital.


METHODS
Eighty-five children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and acute lower respiratory tract disease.


METHODS
One hundred five flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopies with bronchoalveolar lavages.


RESULTS
Infective agents were recovered in 88 procedures (84%). Potentially pathogenic bacteria were identified in 56 (56.6%) of 99 procedures. Viruses were found in 28 (29%) of 96 lavages, and fungi in 37 (41.6%) of 89 specimens. Pneumocystis carinii was identified in 22 (22.2%) of 99 specimens. Mycobacteria were isolated from 14 (14%) of 100 specimens. A serious complication occurred in only one procedure (0.95%).


CONCLUSIONS
Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage is a safe and effective diagnostic procedure that identified infective agents in 80% of children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and concomitant acute lower respiratory tract disease.
Abadco
D L
DL
Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Children's Medical Center of Brooklyn, NY.
Amaro-Galvez
R
R
Rao
M
M
Steiner
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000293:Adolescent; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods