Identification of Pneumocystis carinii DNA in oropharyngeal mouth washes from AIDS children dying of respiratory illnesses.
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.
Lishimpi
Kennedy
K
The UNZA-UCLMS (University of Zambia-University College London Medical School) Research and Training Project, Lusaka, Zambia.
Kasolo
Francis
F
Chintu
Chifumbe
C
Mwaba
Peter
P
Mudenda
Victor
V
Maswahu
Daniel
D
Terunuma
Hiroshi
H
Fletcher
Helen
H
Nunn
Andrew
A
Lucas
Sebastian
S
Zumla
Alimuddin
A
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
D017931:DNA Primers; D004271:DNA, Fungal