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Arsić Arsenijevic V, Vyzantiadis TA, Mares M, Otasevic S, Tragiannidis A, Janic D. Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in Pediatric Patients in Serbia, Greece, and Romania. Current Status and Challenges for Collaboration. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6020049. [PMID: 32316676 PMCID: PMC7345889 DOI: 10.3390/jof6020049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii can cause fatal Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP). Many children have been exposed to the fungus and are colonized in early age, while some individuals at high risk for fungal infections may develop PcP, a disease that is difficult to diagnose. Insufficient laboratory availability, lack of knowledge, and local epidemiology gaps make the problem more serious. Traditionally, the diagnosis is based on microscopic visualization of Pneumocystis in respiratory specimens. The molecular diagnosis is important but not widely used. The aim of this study was to collect initial indicative data from Serbia, Greece, and Romania concerning pediatric patients with suspected PcP in order to: find the key underlying diseases, determine current clinical and laboratory practices, and try to propose an integrative future molecular perspective based on regional collaboration. Data were collected by the search of literature and the use of an online questionnaire, filled by relevant scientists specialized in the field. All three countries presented similar clinical practices in terms of PcP prophylaxis and clinical suspicion. In Serbia and Greece the hematology/oncology diseases are the main risks, while in Romania HIV infection is an additional risk. Molecular diagnosis is available only in Greece. PcP seems to be under-diagnosed and regional collaboration in the field of laboratory diagnosis with an emphasis on molecular approaches may help to cover the gaps and improve the practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Arsić Arsenijevic
- National Reference Laboratory for Medical Mycology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-63-327-564
| | - Timoleon-Achilleas Vyzantiadis
- First Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Mihai Mares
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Ion Ionescu de la Brad University, 700490 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Suzana Otasevic
- Department of Microbiology & Public Health Institute Clinical Center of Nis, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, Serbia;
| | - Athanasios Tragiannidis
- Haematology Oncology Unit, Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dragana Janic
- Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
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Baha A, Yıldırım F, Stark M, Kalkancı A, Fireman E, Köktürk N. Is Induced Sputum A Useful Noninvasive Tool in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis? Turk Thorac J 2019; 20:248-252. [PMID: 31584387 DOI: 10.5152/turkthoracj.2018.180147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, the provocation of sputum expectoration through the inhalation of hypertonic saline has been investigated as an alternative diagnostic tool for invasive procedures. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of induced sputum (IS) by observing its cell distribution in patients with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we compared the IS results of 20 patients with a histopathologically confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis diagnosis and 24 healthy volunteers. The percentages of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in IS and the CD4/CD8 ratio were compared. RESULTS The percentage of lymphocytes in IS was significantly higher in the pulmonary sarcoidosis patients compared to the control group (41.6% vs 8.9%, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the other IS cell percentages and CD4+/CD8+ ratio between the groups. Sputum induction was well tolerated. CONCLUSION Sputum induced by the inhalation of hypertonic saline is a safe, inexpensive, less invasive, and easily repeated method and can be a valuable alternative to other invasive methods in the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Baha
- Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine, Kyrenia Akçiçek National Hospital, Cyprus
| | - Fatma Yıldırım
- Clinic of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Moshe Stark
- Institute of Pulmonary Diseases, National Laboratory Service for ILD, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayşe Kalkancı
- Department of Microbiology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Elizabeth Fireman
- Institute of Pulmonary Diseases, National Laboratory Service for ILD, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nurdan Köktürk
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Denning DW. Minimizing fungal disease deaths will allow the UNAIDS target of reducing annual AIDS deaths below 500 000 by 2020 to be realized. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 371:rstb.2015.0468. [PMID: 28080991 PMCID: PMC5095544 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Deaths from AIDS (1 500 000 in 2013) have been falling more slowly than anticipated with improved access to antiretroviral therapy. Opportunistic infections account for most AIDS-related mortality, with a median age of death in the mid-30s. About 360 000 (24%) of AIDS deaths are attributed to tuberculosis. Fungal infections deaths in AIDS were estimated at more than 700 000 deaths (47%) annually. Rapid diagnostic tools and antifungal agents are available for these diseases and would likely have a major impact in reducing deaths. Scenarios for reduction of avoidable deaths were constructed based on published outcomes of the real-life impact of diagnostics and generic antifungal drugs to 2020. Annual deaths could fall for cryptococcal disease by 70 000, Pneumocystis pneumonia by 162 500, disseminated histoplasmosis by 48 000 and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis by 33 500, with approximately 60% coverage of diagnostics and antifungal agents; a total of >1 000 000 lives saved over 5 years. If factored in with the 90–90–90 campaign rollout and its effect, AIDS deaths could fall to 426 000 annually by 2020, with further reductions possible with increased coverage. Action could and should be taken by donors, national and international public health agencies, NGOs and governments to achieve the UNAIDS mortality reduction target, by scaling up capability to detect and treat fungal disease in AIDS. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience’.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Denning
- Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI), Rue de l'Ancien-Port 14, 1211 Geneva 1, Geneva, Switzerland .,The National Aspergillosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
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Prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii among immunocompromised patients in hospitals of Tehran city, Iran. J Parasit Dis 2017; 41:850-853. [PMID: 28848290 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-017-0901-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic organism that can cause extreme complications such as Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. There is no comprehensive study was conducted Iran to determine the prevalence of this infection in susceptible individuals. In the present study, 160 sera samples were collected from immunocompromised patients, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, diabetic patients, Hodgkin lymphoma patients and non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. The specimens were collected from Imam Khomeini and army's 501 hospitals. The specimens were examined using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The results of the study showed that 39.30% specimens were found positive, with different rates in different groups, including 20, 22.50, 37.50, and 77.50% of diabetic patients, non-Hodgkin patients, Hodgkin lymphoma patients, and AIDS patients, respectively. This occurrence is relatively high and can be a potential life-threatening hazard to infected patients in studied groups, on the other hand the organism can be transmitted from infected people to other susceptible individuals.
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Grubbs JA, Baddley JW. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients receiving tumor-necrosis-factor-inhibitor therapy: implications for chemoprophylaxis. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2015; 16:445. [PMID: 25182673 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-014-0445-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an important opportunistic infection that has been increasingly reported in patients with rheumatic disease. Reported incidence among patients taking TNF inhibitors (TNFi) has varied, but has usually been low. Still, disease causes significant mortality among those affected and must be considered in patients with rheumatological disease presenting with dyspnea and cough. Diagnosis can be difficult in the non-HIV population, and our understanding of the epidemiology and natural history after exposure is changing. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is believed to be the most effective agent for treatment and prophylaxis, but is associated with significant adverse effects. Given the low incidence reported in most studies of patients on TNFi, prophylaxis is probably not beneficial for this patient population as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Grubbs
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1900 University Boulevard, 229 Tinsley Harrison Tower, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0006, USA
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Lago PM, Boéchat N, Migueis DP, Almeida AS, Lazzarini LC, Saldanha MM, Kritski AL, Ho JL, Lapa e Silva JR. Interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma patterns during tuberculosis treatment: possible association with recurrence. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2012; 16:656-9. [PMID: 22410761 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.11.0707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL) 10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-) levels in induced sputum supernatants of 21 tuberculosis (TB) patients at diagnosis and during chemotherapy were correlated to recurrence rates. IL-10 decreased until day 60 of treatment (T60), and between T60 and T180 it increased again in 7 cases (Pattern 1) and further decreased in 14 cases (Pattern 2). Follow-up of 69 months was performed in 20/21 cases; 6 had recurrence of TB, of which 5/7 (71%) had Pattern 1 and 1/13 (7.7%) Pattern 2 (OR 30.0, 95%CI 2.19411.3, P 0.0072). This was not observed for IFN-. High IL-10 levels at the end of treatment may function as a risk factor for TB recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Lago
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Institute of Thoracic Diseases, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Sax PE, Komarow L, Finkelman MA, Grant PM, Andersen J, Scully E, Powderly WG, Zolopa AR. Blood (1->3)-beta-D-glucan as a diagnostic test for HIV-related Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 53:197-202. [PMID: 21690628 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED (See the editorial commentary by Morris and Masur, on pages 203-204.) BACKGROUND Improved noninvasive diagnostic tests for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) are needed. We evaluated the test characteristics of plasma (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan (β-glucan) for HIV-related PCP among a large group of patients presenting with diverse opportunistic infections (OIs). METHODS The study population included all 282 participants in AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5164, a study of early versus deferred antiretroviral therapy in conjunction with initial therapy of acute OIs. Baseline plasma samples were assayed for β-glucan, with standard assay reference values defining ≥ 80 pg/mL as positive. Before this analysis, diagnosis of PCP was independently adjudicated by 2 study investigators after reviewing reports from study sites. RESULTS A total of 252 persons had a β-glucan result that could be analyzed, 173 (69%) of whom had received a diagnosis of PCP. Median β-glucan with PCP was 408 pg/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 209-500 pg/mL), compared with 37 pg/mL (IQR, 31-235 pg/mL) without PCP (P < .001). The sensitivity of β-glucan dichotomized at 80 pg/mL for the diagnosis of PCP was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87%-96%), and the specificity was 65% (95% CI, 53%-75%); positive and negative predictive values were 85% (95% CI, 79%-90%) and 80% (95% CI, 68%-89%) respectively, based on the study prevalence of 69% of patients with PCP. Rates of abnormal lactate dehyrogenase levels did not differ significantly between those with and without PCP. CONCLUSIONS Blood (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan is strongly correlated with HIV-related PCP. In some clinical centers, this may be a more sensitive test than the induced sputum examination and could reduce the need for both bronchoscopy and empirical therapy of PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Sax
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Andama AO, Cattamanchi A, Davis JL, den Boon S, Worodria W, Huang L. Modified Giemsa method for confirmation of Pneumocystis pneumonia in low-income countries. BMJ Case Rep 2009; 2009:bcr02.2009.1580. [PMID: 21691388 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.02.2009.1580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
An HIV-seropositive man who presented with cough, low-grade fever and difficulty in breathing was admitted to the pulmonology unit at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. He was initially diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and treated with ceftriaxone without significant improvement. Induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were collected and stained using a modified Giemsa stain (Diff-Quik). With this technique, it was possible to demonstrate cystic and trophic forms of Pneumocystis jirovecii and confirm the diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Onubia Andama
- Makerere University, Medicine, Mulago Hospital, New Mulago, Kampala, 7051, Uganda
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Danés C, González-Martín J, Pumarola T, Rañó A, Benito N, Torres A, Moreno A, Rovira M, Puig de la Bellacasa J. Pulmonary infiltrates in immunosuppressed patients: analysis of a diagnostic protocol. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40:2134-40. [PMID: 12037077 PMCID: PMC130687 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.40.6.2134-2140.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2001] [Revised: 09/20/2001] [Accepted: 03/06/2002] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A diagnostic protocol was started to study the etiology of pulmonary infiltrates in immunosuppressed patients. The diagnostic yields of the different techniques were analyzed, with special emphasis on the importance of the sample quality and the role of rapid techniques in the diagnostic strategy. In total, 241 patients with newly developed pulmonary infiltrates within a period of 19 months were included. Noninvasive or invasive evaluation was performed according to the characteristics of the infiltrates. Diagnosis was achieved in 202 patients (84%); 173 patients (72%) had pneumonia, and specific etiologic agents were found in 114 (66%). Bronchoaspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage showed the highest yields, either on global analysis (23 of 35 specimens [66%] and 70 of 134 specimens [52%], respectively) or on analysis of each type of pneumonia. A tendency toward better results with optimal-quality samples was observed, and a statistically significant difference was found in sputum bacterial culture. Rapid diagnostic tests yielded results in 71 of 114 (62.2%) diagnoses of etiological pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Danés
- Servei de Microbiologia, Institut Clínic d'Infeccions i Immunologia, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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SOCIETY BT, COMMITTEE SO. The diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diffuse parenchymal lung disease in adults. Introduction. Thorax 1999; 54 Suppl 1:S1-14. [PMID: 11006787 PMCID: PMC1765921 DOI: 10.1136/thx.54.suppl_1.s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Shata AM, Coulter JB, Parry CM, Ching'ani G, Broadhead RL, Hart CA. Sputum induction for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Arch Dis Child 1996; 74:535-7. [PMID: 8758132 PMCID: PMC1511555 DOI: 10.1136/adc.74.6.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Confirmation of tuberculosis in young children is difficult as they seldom expectorate sputum. Gastric aspirates are invasive and stressful and like laryngeal swabs are seldom smear positive. Induction of sputum by nebulised hypertonic saline (3%) was attempted in 30 Malawian children aged 3-15 years and was successful in 29. Four sputa were smear positive and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from three of them. A further four sputa were culture positive though smear negative. In all, the diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed in eight (28%) of 29 children. The presence of polymorphonuclear cells in the specimen was indicative of sputum, in contrast to epithelial cells which originate from saliva. A predominance of polymorphonuclear cells in specimens was more common in older children and these specimens were more likely to be smear positive or culture positive. Sputum induction is a useful method for the confirmation of tuberculosis and is possible in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Shata
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool
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Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections are characterized by significant morbidity and mortality but also by a relative inability to establish a specific etiologic agent on clinical grounds alone. With the recognized shortcomings of expectorated or aspirated secretions toward establishing an etiologic diagnosis, clinicians have increasingly used bronchoscopy to obtain diagnostic samples. A variety of specimen types may be obtained, including bronchial washes or brushes, protected specimen brushings, bronchoalveolar lavage, and transbronchial biopsies. Bronchoscopy has been applied in three primary clinical settings, including the immunocompromised host, especially human immunodeficiency virus-infected and organ transplant patients; ventilator-associated pneumonia; and severe, nonresolving community- or hospital-acquired pneumonia in nonventilated patients. In each clinical setting, and for each specimen type, specific laboratory protocols are required to provide maximal information. These protocols should provide for the use of a variety of rapid microscopic and quantitative culture techniques and the use of a variety of specific stains and selective culture to detect unusual organism groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- V S Baselski
- Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163
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Mattia AR, Waldron MA, Sierra LS. Use of the UV ParaLens adapter as an alternative to conventional fluorescence microscopy for detection of Pneumocystis carinii in direct immunofluorescent monoclonal antibody-stained pulmonary specimens. J Clin Microbiol 1993; 31:720-1. [PMID: 8458971 PMCID: PMC262852 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.31.3.720-721.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The UV ParaLens light microscope adapter offers a useful and cost-effective alternative to conventional fluorescence microscopy for Pneumocystis carinii identification, particularly in AIDS patients. In a blinded study, in which 153 pulmonary specimens were examined for P. carinii by direct immunofluorescence, 40 of 42 specimens positive by fluorescence microscopy were also positive by ParaLens. No false positives were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Mattia
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114
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Smith DE, Forbes A, Davies S, Barton SE, Gazzard BG. Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV antibody positive patients by simple outpatient assessments. Thorax 1992; 47:1005-9. [PMID: 1494761 PMCID: PMC1021090 DOI: 10.1136/thx.47.12.1005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As increasing numbers of patients with immunosuppression induced by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) present with respiratory symptoms it is important to differentiate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia from other chest diseases rapidly and start treatment early. The management of pneumocystis pneumonia could be improved if clinicians could diagnose this condition confidently on the basis of simple clinical assessments. METHODS Three hundred and eighteen patients with evidence of immunosuppression due to HIV infection and suspected pneumocystis pneumonia were investigated. A clinical history was taken and arterial blood gas analysis, chest radiography, oximetry during exercise, and sputum induction or bronchoscopy (or both) were performed. RESULTS Pneumocystis pneumonia was confirmed microscopically from induced sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 154 patients; 118 had other chest disease. The remaining 46 patients had no definitive diagnosis. The best single independent predictors of a diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia were exercise induced oxygen desaturation and obvious interstitial infiltrates on the chest radiograph (odds ratios of 4.88 and 5.44 respectively). The symptom triad of exertional dyspnoea, cough, and fevers; the absence of pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis; and resting arterial hypoxaemia were less predictive (odds ratio 2.07, 3.72, and 0.69). An algorithm was developed that gave a positive predictive value for confirmed pneumocystis pneumonia of 95% and also identified those patients with a very small chance of having pneumocystis pneumonia (negative predictive value 85%). CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of an initial episode of pneumocystis pneumonia can be confidently made in a large proportion of immunosuppressed patients with respiratory symptoms on the basis of clinical symptoms, the absence of prophylaxis, chest radiographic appearances, and oxygen desaturation during exercise as shown by oximetry. Using these simple features clinicians can rapidly assign patients to the appropriate type of management at presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Smith
- HIV/GUM Department, Kobler Centre, London
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Weber B, Hamann A, Ritt B, Rabenau H, Braun W, Doerr HW. Comparison of shell viral culture and serology for the diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus infection in neonates and immunocompromised subjects. THE CLINICAL INVESTIGATOR 1992; 70:503-7. [PMID: 1327325 DOI: 10.1007/bf00210232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The present retrospective study compares the laboratory diagnosis of cytomegalic inclusion disease (CID) by the use of "shell vial culture" [i.e., immunoperoxidase staining of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) early antigen in human fibroblasts 24 h postinoculation] to the results of serology (i.e. immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA HCMV antibody testing) in 21 infants with congenital or postnatally acquired HCMV infection, 5 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, 35 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive patients who met the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria for stages IVA and IVB of HIV infection, and 115 patients suffering from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS (stages IVC-IVE according to CDC criteria). HCMV infection was diagnosed by means of the shell vial culture inoculated with patient samples (e.g., urine, bronchoalveolar lavage, induced sputum, etc.) and serology in 163 (92.6%) and 65 (36.9%) patients, respectively. Viral shedding was detected by shell vial culture in 100% of the neonates, 80% of the patients suffering from lymphoproliferative disorders, 100% of the AIDS related complex (ARC) and 89.6% of the AIDS patients. In contrast, serologic testing for HCMV-specific antibodies was positive in only 28.6%, 42.9%, and 34.8% of the neonates, ARC, and AIDS patients, respectively. In lymphoma patients, serologic testing gave identical results (80%) to the shell vial culture technique. With the use of the shell vial procedure, active HCMV infection in immunocompromised subjects and neonates can be recognized more reliably than by serologic testing. Nevertheless, in a low percentage of patients (7.4%), virus isolation by the shell vial culture may fail to detect HCMV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Weber
- Abteilung für Medizinische Virologie, Zentrum der Hygiene, Universitäts-Kliniken Frankfurt/Main
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- P French
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Middlesex Hospital, London
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18
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Pin I, Gibson PG, Kolendowicz R, Girgis-Gabardo A, Denburg JA, Hargreave FE, Dolovich J. Use of induced sputum cell counts to investigate airway inflammation in asthma. Thorax 1992; 47:25-9. [PMID: 1539140 PMCID: PMC463545 DOI: 10.1136/thx.47.1.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 635] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Airway inflammation is considered to be important in asthma but is relatively inaccessible to study. Less invasive methods of obtaining sputum from patients unable to produce it spontaneously should provide a useful investigational tool in asthma. METHODS A method to induce sputum with inhaled hypertonic saline was modified for use in 17 asthmatic patients and 17 normal subjects who could not produce sputum spontaneously. The success rate and safety of the method, the reproducibility of cell counts, and differences in cell counts between the asthmatic and normal groups were examined. Hypertonic saline solution 3-5% was inhaled for up to 30 minutes after inhalation of salbutamol. Subjects were asked to expectorate sputum every five minutes. The quality of the sample was scored on the volume of plugs and the extent of salivary contamination. Plugs from the lower respiratory tract were selected for a total cell count and for differential cell counts of eosinophils and metachromatic cells (mast cells and basophils) in direct smears. RESULTS Adequate samples from the lower respiratory tract were obtained in 76% of first attempts. The mean fall in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) during inhalation of saline was 5.3% and the maximum fall 20%. Eosinophil and metachromatic cell counts were reproducible (reliability coefficient 0.8 and 0.7 respectively). When compared with sputum from normal subjects sputum from asthmatic patients contained a significantly higher proportion of eosinophils (mean 18.5% (SE 3.8%) v 1.9% (0.6%)) and metachromatic cells (0.50% (0.18%) v 0.039% (0.014%)). In the asthmatic group the differential eosinophil count correlated with the baseline FEV1. CONCLUSION Induced sputum is capable of detecting differences in cell counts between normal and asthmatic subjects and merits further development as a potential means of assessing airway inflammation in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Pin
- Department of Medicine, St Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Miller RF, Buckland J, Semple SJ. Arterial desaturation in HIV positive patients undergoing sputum induction. Thorax 1991; 46:449-51. [PMID: 1858086 PMCID: PMC463195 DOI: 10.1136/thx.46.6.449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was monitored continuously during and immediately after sputum induction in 41 HIV positive patients with respiratory symptoms and in 20 symptomless medical and nursing staff, who acted as control subjects. Arterial oxygen desaturation (defined as SaO2 less than or equal to 92%) occurred during sputum induction and persisted for up to 20 minutes after the end of the procedure in 11 of the 20 patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and in nine of the 21 patients with other respiratory diagnoses. None of the control subjects showed oxygen desaturation. Neither the severity of chest radiographic abnormalities, the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (both measured before sputum induction), nor baseline SaO2 prospectively identified the patients who developed oxygen desaturation. Two patients, one with pneumocystis pneumonia, developed dyspnoea and had a fall in arterial oxygen saturation to 84% within 10 minutes of starting sputum induction. The procedure was abandoned in both patients and in two further patients, who developed severe nausea and reaching but no oxygen desaturation. Sputum induction in HIV positive patients with respiratory symptoms may induce a fall in SaO2 that persists after this procedure. This may be important if other procedures are performed soon after sputum induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Miller
- Department of Medicine, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, Middlesex Hospital, London
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20
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Bartlett MS, Smith JW. Pneumocystis carinii, an opportunist in immunocompromised patients. Clin Microbiol Rev 1991; 4:137-49. [PMID: 2070342 PMCID: PMC358186 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.4.2.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis carinii has been recognized as a cause of pneumonia in immunocompromised patients for over 40 years. Until the 1980s, Pneumocystis pneumonia (pneumocystosis) was most often seen in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignancy or transplantation. Infection could be prevented by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis; thus, it was an uncommon clinical problem. With the onset of the AIDS epidemic, Pneumocystis pneumonia has become a major problem in the United States because it develops in approximately 80% of patients with AIDS and because almost two-thirds of patients have adverse reactions to anti-Pneumocystis drugs. Thus, physicians and laboratories in any community may be called upon to diagnose and provide care for patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia. The classification of the organism is currently controversial, but it is either a protozoan or a fungus. P. carinii appears to be acquired during childhood by inhalation and does not cause clinical disease in healthy persons but remains latent. If the person becomes immunosuppressed, the latent infection may become activated and lead to clinical disease. Damage of type I pneumocytes by Pneumocystis organisms leads to the foamy alveolar exudate which is characteristic of the disease. Diagnosis is established by morphologic demonstration of Pneumocystis organisms in material from the lungs. Current efforts to find better anti-Pneumocystis drugs should provide more effective therapy and prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Bartlett
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-5250
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21
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Parry CM, Evans HM, Beeching NJ. Tests giving an aetiological diagnosis in pulmonary disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Thorax 1991; 46:150. [PMID: 2014502 PMCID: PMC462991 DOI: 10.1136/thx.46.2.150-b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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22
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Wolfson JS, Waldron MA, Sierra LS. Blinded comparison of a direct immunofluorescent monoclonal antibody staining method and a Giemsa staining method for identification of Pneumocystis carinii in induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. J Clin Microbiol 1990; 28:2136-8. [PMID: 1699970 PMCID: PMC268123 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.28.9.2136-2138.1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A new direct immunofluorescence monoclonal antibody (DFA) method (Genetic Systems, Inc., Seattle, Wash.) for identification of Pneumocystis carinii in induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens was compared in a blinded study with an established Giemsa stain method. We evaluated 148 consecutive clinical specimens from 104 patients with the following results. For the 67 patients (64%) infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 49 were initially negative by both the DFA and the Giemsa methods, none were negative by DFA and positive by Giemsa, 6 were positive by DFA and negative by Giemsa, and 12 were positive by both methods, for a sensitivity and a negative predictive value of greater than 99%. For the six patients positive by DFA and negative by Giemsa, all were positive by both methods on evaluation of subsequently obtained clinical specimens, suggesting a specificity of greater than 99% and a false-positive rate of less than 1%. For 37 patients whose HIV status was negative or unknown, 35 were negative by both methods and 2 were positive by DFA and negative by Giemsa. The DFA method was simple to perform and required less time for scoring of stained slides than the Giemsa method, but care had to be taken to avoid false-positive readings due to extraneous fluorescence. This study indicates that the DFA method represents an advance as a sensitive, simple, and rapid way to identify P. carinii in induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from HIV-infected patients and suggests greater sensitivity of the DFA than the Giemsa method in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Wolfson
- Infectious Disease Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston
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23
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Davey RT, Masur H. Recent advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1990; 34:499-504. [PMID: 2140495 PMCID: PMC171632 DOI: 10.1128/aac.34.4.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In summary, recent advances in our ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent recurrences of pneumocystis pneumonia have significantly improved the clinical management of this infection, especially in HIV-1-infected individuals. As current investigations allow our therapeutic armamentarium in this disease to be strengthened even further, it is likely that pneumocystis pneumonia will pose a diminishing threat to those patients currently most susceptible to this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Davey
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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24
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Millar AB, Mitchell DM. AIDS and the lung. 4-- Non-invasive investigation of pulmonary disease in patients positive for the human immunodeficiency virus. Thorax 1990; 45:57-61. [PMID: 2181719 PMCID: PMC475653 DOI: 10.1136/thx.45.1.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A B Millar
- Department of Medicine, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London
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25
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Miller RF, Leigh TR, Collins JV, Mitchell DM. AIDS and the lung. 5--Tests giving an aetiological diagnosis in pulmonary disease in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Thorax 1990; 45:62-5. [PMID: 2181720 PMCID: PMC475656 DOI: 10.1136/thx.45.1.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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26
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Rush JD, Ng VL, Hopewell PC, Hadley WK, Mills J. Comparative recovery of cytomegalovirus from saliva, mucolysed induced sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients at risk for or with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. J Clin Microbiol 1989; 27:2864-5. [PMID: 2556437 PMCID: PMC267146 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.27.12.2864-2865.1989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The recovery rates of cytomegalovirus from mucolysed induced sputum samples and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from individuals at risk for or with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were compared. It was demonstrated that cytomegalovirus could be reliably recovered from mucolysed induced sputum, and such recovery was highly predictive of recovery from bronchoalveolar lavage samples obtained from the same individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Rush
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, San Francisco General Hospital, California 94110
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27
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Green ST, Goldberg DJ, Leach J, Christie PR, Kennedy DH. AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia successfully treated with dapsone-trimethoprim. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1988; 26:487-8. [PMID: 3263877 PMCID: PMC1386574 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1988.tb03411.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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28
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Gill VJ, Nelson NA, Stock F, Evans G. Optimal use of the cytocentrifuge for recovery and diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage and sputum specimens. J Clin Microbiol 1988; 26:1641-4. [PMID: 3263385 PMCID: PMC266687 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.26.9.1641-1644.1988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To facilitate the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii from bronchoalveolar lavage and sputum specimens, we have defined conditions for optimal use of the cytocentrifuge for this purpose. Centrifugation in the cytocentrifuge at 1,200 rpm for 10 min yielded the best recovery of P. carinii. To reliably ensure complete absorption of the fluid specimen from the cytocentrifuge chamber, it was necessary to use two absorption filters simultaneously. Different methods of treating induced sputum with mucolytic agents to process sputum with the cytocentrifuge were tried. Results of these studies and our current method for treating sputa are discussed. Comparisons of slides prepared by traditional centrifugation and by cytocentrifuge processing showed the latter to be equally effective for detecting P. carinii. The most prominent advantage of the cytocentrifuge was the much smaller area to review and consequently the shortened time required to read the slides.
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Affiliation(s)
- V J Gill
- Clinical Pathology Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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29
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Elvin KM, Björkman A, Linder E, Heurlin N, Hjerpe A. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: detection of parasites in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by monoclonal antibodies. BMJ (CLINICAL RESEARCH ED.) 1988; 297:381-4. [PMID: 3044514 PMCID: PMC1834294 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.297.6645.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia is based on identifying Pneumocystis carinii cytochemically in material from the lung. The silver methenamine staining methods most commonly used are technically difficult and lack specificity. The diagnostic value of immunocytological identification of the parasite was evaluated by using mouse monoclonal antibody 3F6, specific for human pneumocystis, to identify P carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum by immunofluorescence and was compared with that of other variables. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed on 25 patients positive for HIV antibody with clinically suspected pneumocystis pneumonia and 40 patients negative for HIV antibody who presented with interstitial disorders of the lung. Lavage fluid showed pneumocystis only in the patients positive for antibody, the parasite being detected in 19 by immunofluorescence and in 17 by a modified silver methenamine staining method. Chest x ray films obtained at the time of bronchoscopy showed interstitial or alveolar shadowing in 17 of the 19 patients, but clinical symptoms and the presence of antibodies to pneumocystis did not seem to be predictive. Sputum samples were collected during 43 episodes of clinically suspected pneumocystis pneumonia in patients positive for HIV antibody. Pneumocystis was detected consistently more commonly by immunofluorescence than the silver strain in sputum collected routinely and induced by inhalation of saline. In 17 patients bronchoalveolar lavage followed sputum collection, and the sensitivity of detection of pneumocystis in immunofluorescence in sputum compared with lavage fluid was 57% (8/14). Immunofluorescence was suitable for specimens fixed in ethanol and seemed highly specific and more sensitive than the standard cytochemical methods for identifying pneumocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Elvin
- Department of Parasitology, National Bacteriological Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
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Mills J, Leoung G, Medina I, Hopewell PC, Hughes WT, Wofsy C. Dapsone treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1988; 32:1057-60. [PMID: 3263834 PMCID: PMC172343 DOI: 10.1128/aac.32.7.1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
All patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated for their first episode of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia at San Francisco General Hospital between 1 April 1985 and 15 July 1985 were evaluated for their response to treatment with dapsone (100 mg/day) by mouth for 21 days. Of 44 patients evaluated, 18 were eligible for the study. Of these 18 patients, the conditions of 7 of them worsened or failed to improve during treatment with dapsone and they were considered treatment failures. These patients were changed to standard therapy after 4 to 8 days of dapsone therapy. The remaining 11 patients (61%) improved within 3 to 10 days after dapsone therapy was started. Side effects of dapsone therapy were noted in 6 of 11 patients (of these 11 patients, 5 had a rash, 1 had a rash and abnormal liver enzymes, and 1 had abnormal liver enzymes), but in none of the patients were these side effects severe enough to require the cessation of medication. Based on comparison with historical controls, oral dapsone therapy alone appeared to be less effective than standard therapy or the combination of dapsone plus trimethoprim for P. carinii pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mills
- Medical Service, San Francisco General Hospital Center Medical Center, California
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31
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Pozniak AL, Tung KT, Swinburn CR, Tovey S, Semple SJ, Johnson NM. Clinical and bronchoscopic diagnosis of suspected pneumonia related to AIDS. BMJ : BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 1986; 293:797-9. [PMID: 3094663 PMCID: PMC1341581 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.293.6550.797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In a series of 25 patients with suspected pneumonia related to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) the first 12 underwent routine fibreoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage with or without transbronchial biopsy before treatment. Eight were found to have Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and had typical clinical presentations with a prolonged history of symptoms, including a dry cough, and bilateral diffuse alveolar or interstitial shadowing in chest radiographs. Among the subsequent 13 cases, 11 had similar clinical presentations and were treated with high doses of intravenous co-trimoxazole without bronchoscopy first. Bronchoscopy was performed in those who deteriorated at any stage or failed to improve by the fifth day of treatment. Nine patients recovered and were discharged. In two patients who died P carinii pneumonia was confirmed in one but no diagnosis was made in the other. The early and late survival in both groups of patients was similar. In patients at high risk for AIDS who have clinical features suggestive of P carinii pneumonia starting treatment with intravenous co-trimoxazole is justified. The few patients who deteriorate or fail to respond should undergo bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy.
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