title: The recognition of mycobacterial infections by intraoperative cytology in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
abstract: In patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, mycobacterial lymphadenitis is characterized by the presence of numerous acid-fast bacilli within histiocytes. In Diff-Quik-stained cytologic preparations of such lymph nodes, performed during intraoperative consultations, the presence of mycobacteria is manifested by numerous negatively staining rod-shaped spaces intracellularly within histiocytes, as well as extra-cellularly in the background. Recognition of these characteristic "footprints," or "negative images," of mycobacteria can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. The morphological characteristics that help to distinguish between Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare and Mycobacterium kansasii are also described.
authors: Department of Pathology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC.
authors: F S
authors: FS
authors: Jannotta
authors: M K
authors: MK
authors: Sidawy
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification