title: Sarcoidosis and opportunistic infections.
abstract: Two patients receiving steroid therapy for sarcoidosis had a potentially fatal opportunistic infection that was difficult to differentiate from the underlying illness, but was successfully treated after the diagnosis was made. The effects of sarcoidosis on the immune system and the additional effects of steroid therapy on cell-mediated immunity seem to be of real clinical significance, rather than being of theoretical interest alone, because of the risk of infection with intracellular infecting organisms, even if such infections occur relatively infrequently.
authors.affiliation: Medical Chest Unit, Castle Hill Hospital, North Humberside, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Sadikot
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doré
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Arnold
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009616:Nocardia asteroides; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone