Cytologic diagnosis of extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in pleural and ascitic fluid. Report of a case in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
We present a case of an extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient undergoing prophylactic treatment with pentamidine. The diagnosis was established in pleural and ascitic fluid, and the patient died before starting specific systemic treatment. We discuss the cytologic differences between pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections and the importance of careful screening for this pathogen in immunosuppressed patients.
Peiró-Cabrera
G
G
Department of Pathology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.
Lerma-Puertas
E
E
Esteva de Llobet
E
E
de las Heras-Durán
P
P
Muñoz-Anatol
P
P
Carreras-Marcer
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D001201:Ascites; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D010419:Pentamidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*
D010419:Pentamidine