Correlation of Pneumocystis carinii cyst density with mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Pneumocystis pneumonia

摘要: Abstract Fifteen percent to 20% of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and pneumocystis pneumonia do poorly despite early intervention. It is not known what distinguishes those who die, intervention aggressive therapy, from readily respond therapy. We used image analysis determine relative abundance cysts within aggregates Pneumocystis carinii found in induced sputa (21 patients) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (14 35 pneumonia. calculated a cyst density (number per area aggregate) for each aggregate mean all on smear. Six died 2 weeks diagnosis; four these six had autopsies residual P . The was 9.7 ± 3.9 (range, 5 15 × 10 −3 ). 29 survived beyond 18.4 8.7 3 ; = .01). Mean influenced by number present smear, variation among or episode Cyst determinations alone should be predict outcome individuals until further study completed. Nevertheless, current suggests that low specimen, which may indirectly indicate greater proportion trophozoites compared high associated an unfavorable syndrome-associated