Rapid microscopy technique for detection of Pneumocystis carinii in fresh clinical specimens.
A direct method for detection of Pneumocystis carinii was evaluated in 14 patients with impaired immune function (3 seropositive for HIV, 8 with AIDS and 3 with heart transplants) and signs and symptoms suggestive of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Direct examination by phase-contrast and interference-contrast microscopy of fresh clinical specimens obtained by sputum induction, bronchoalveolar lavage or transbronchial lung biopsy was found to be a simple and rapid method for detection of Pneumocystis carinii, the sensitivity of the method being comparable to that of the classical toluidine blue O and Diff-Quik staining methods. These findings suggest that this direct microscopy technique could be considered for routine clinical application in patients with suspected Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
Chichino
G
G
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Pavia, IRCCS San Matteo, Italy.
Bruno
A
A
Cevini
C
C
Gatti
S
S
Scaglia
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D008857:Microscopy, Interference; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology