Plasma (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan measurement and polymerase chain reaction on sputum as practical parameters in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
We report a case of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome diagnosed and monitored with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Pneumocystis carinii on sputum and measurement of plasma (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (G-test). Results of both studies paralleled the clinical and radiographic improvement. However, the plasma (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan level remained higher than normal when PCR for Pneumocystis carinii became negative in sputum. Both PCR for Pneumocystis carinii on sputum and measurement of plasma (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan are useful for noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of Pneumocystis carinii, although further investigation is necessary to quantify their relationship.
Department of General Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka.
K
K
Okamoto
T
T
Yamamoto
D
D
Nonaka
H
H
Shin
K
K
Okada
J
J
Hayashi
S
S
Kashiwagi
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005936:Glucans / Q000097:blood*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047071:beta-Glucans
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005936:Glucans; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D047071:beta-Glucans; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan; D008775:Methylprednisolone