title: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: detection of parasites by immunofluorescence based on a monoclonal antibody.
abstract: A monoclonal antibody-based immunofluorescence test for the detection of Pneumocystis carinii was evaluated in comparison with the conventional direct staining by Grocott's silver methenamine technique. A total of 254 respiratory samples from HIV positive and other immunocompromised patients were examined. Cysts were detected in 30 (12%) of samples using the monoclonal test, but only 15 (6%) positives were found using the Grocott method. There is need for a speedy and efficient test for detection of these organisms, and the monoclonal test was found to be more reliable, quicker and more sensitive than the Grocott technique.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Laboratory, Institute of Pathology, General Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, UK.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: McDade
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal