title: Rapid diagnostic evaluation of bronchial washings in patients with suspected coccidioidomycosis.
abstract: Coccidioidomycosis is a regionally common fungal infection, primarily affecting the lung. While in the majority of cases the tempo of the disease allows for a more leisurely diagnostic plan, including multiple serologic tests and culture of respiratory secretions, occasionally, patients will present with rapidly progressive, life-threatening pulmonary illness, in whom there is an urgent need for rapid diagnosis. Evaluation of respiratory secretions including expectorated sputum as well as bronchial washings are frequently available or obtained for diagnosing pulmonary infiltrates. We compared the sensitivity of the Papanicolaou stain with 10% potassium hydroxide digestion (10% KOH) and with calcofluor white (cw). The Papanicolaou test performed the best and should be used in the evaluation of suspected patients with coccidioidomycosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sarosi
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hobohm
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Kelley
mesh_terms: D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D003287:Contrast Media; D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C007061:C.I. Fluorescent Brightening Agent 28; C029943:potassium hydroxide