title: Identification of Pneumocystis carinii DNA in oropharyngeal mouth washes from AIDS children dying of respiratory illnesses.
abstract: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Pneumocystis carinii-specific primers pAZ 102-H(5'-GTGTACGTTGCAAAGTACTC-3') and pAZ 102-E(5'-GATGGCTGTTTCCAAGCCCA-3') was performed on oropharyngeal washes obtained at autopsy from 22 AIDS children with histologically confirmed P. carinii pneumonia (PCP), and 48 control AIDS children who died from other infections. Fifteen of 22 (68%) PCP samples and none of 48 (0%) control samples had detectable P. carinii DNA (sensitivity 68%; specificity 100%; positive predictive value 100%; negative predictive value 87%). This method requires further validation in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: The UNZA-UCLMS (University of Zambia-University College London Medical School) Research and Training Project, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Kennedy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lishimpi
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kasolo
authors.forename: Chifumbe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chintu
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mwaba
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mudenda
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maswahu
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Terunuma
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nunn
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Alimuddin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zumla
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D017931:DNA Primers; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004271:DNA, Fungal