The impact of concomitant viral pathogens on the course of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
A large retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of culturing cytomegalovirus from the respiratory secretions of AIDS patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Pneumocystis carinii was found in 220 (67%) of 327 episodes and cytomegalovirus was found in 106 (48%) of the P. carinii-positive patients. Cytomegalovirus-positive and -negative patients were similar at baseline and had a similar number of hospital days, but had a lower incidence of early deterioration in oxygenation, fewer intensive-care days, were less frequently intubated, and had a higher 30-day survival. The better short-term outcome of cytomegalovirus positive patients observed in this study may relate to the immunosuppressive effects of cytomegalovirus.
Bozzette
S A
SA
Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego 92103-8208.
Arcia
J
J
Bartok
A E
AE
McGlynn
L M
LM
McCutchan
J A
JA
Richman
D D
DD
Spragg
R
R
Spector
S A
SA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies