title: Diagnosis of the primary infection by pneumocystis in autopsy specimens from two infants using lung impression smears (touch preps).
abstract: The primary infection by Pneumocystis of normal, healthy infants is asymptomatic and goes undiagnosed. Microscopy diagnosis of Pneumocystis was sought in lung impression smears (LIS) from two ~3-month-old infants dying unexpectedly in the community. Pneumocystis nuclei and cysts were identified using Hema-Gurr with subsequent Gomori-Grocott staining in the same spot documenting that these stains may be complementary. LIS provide for an observer-dependent, inexpensive, and ready-available method for detection of Pneumocystis in infant lungs.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Independencia 1027, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Carolina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ponce
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Independencia 1027, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Rebeca I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Bustamante
authors.affiliation: Servicio Médico Legal, Av. La Paz 1012, Independencia, Santiago 8380454, Chile.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Independencia 1027, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Sergio L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Vargas
keywords: Infant; Lung; Microscopy diagnosis; Pneumocystis; Primary infection