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.
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Pavia, IRCCS San Matteo, Italy.
G
G
Chichino
A
A
Bruno
C
C
Cevini
S
S
Gatti
M
M
Scaglia
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