title: Rapid diagnosis of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Cytologic v potassium hydroxide preparations.
abstract: In 26 patients with culture-proved pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, cytologic preparations of respiratory secretions were significantly more sensitive (38.5%) than potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations (15.4%) in identifying spherules of Coccidioides immitis. Those patients able to produce sputum or having multiple-lobe pneumonitis on chest roentgenogram appeared to be more likely to have spherules identified in the sputum by either technique. In the absence of sputum production or multiple-lobe pneumonitis, neither cytologic nor KOH preparations were likely to disclose spherules. Because of its greater sensitivity, a cytologic preparation should be examined in addition to a KOH preparation when pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is a clinical consideration.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011188:Potassium; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011859:Radiography; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011188:Potassium; C029943:potassium hydroxide