title: Examination of induced sputum in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
abstract: The results of the examination of sputum induced by the inhalation of nebulized hypertonic saline in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) are presented. In suspected cases of PCP in patients who were either HIV antibody positive or were receiving immunosuppressive therapy, 46 induced sputum specimens were stained using both Grocott's modified Gomori methenamine silver nitrate (GMS) and immunofluorescence staining. In 12 specimens P. carinii cysts were detected by both methods, in four specimens by GMS staining only and in five specimens by immunofluorescence only. The sensitivity of induced sputum examination in the detection of P. carinii cysts was increased by using both of these staining methods on each sputum specimen and the need for more invasive methods of diagnosis was reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, United Medical School, London.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bateman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nayagam
mesh_terms: D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006416:Hematoxylin; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012834:Silver; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D012834:Silver; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin