Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii infection in HIV-seropositive patients by identification of P carinii in pleural fluid.
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common pulmonary complication of AIDS and is typically diagnosed by the identification of P carinii organisms in sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or tissue obtained with transbronchial biopsy. We describe two HIV-seropositive patients with pleural effusions in whom the diagnosis of P carinii infection was made by examination of pleural fluid. Pleural effusions associated with PCP are very unusual but can provide a source of diagnostic material particularly in those HIV patients who have development of a spontaneous pneumothorax and require chest tube insertion.
Schaumberg
T H
TH
Pulmonary Division, University of California at San Francisco.
Schnapp
L M
LM
Taylor
K G
KG
Golden
J A
JA
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000382:microbiology*; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000175:diagnosis*