IMBALANCE BETWEEN PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII CYSTS AND TROPHOZOITES IN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID FROM PATIENTS WITH PNEUMOCYSTOSIS RECEIVING PROPHYLAXIS

Detection and quantification of different Pneumocystis carinii (PC) li fe cycle forms were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and b y morphological stains on bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) from HI V-infected patients with P. carinii pneumonia (PCP). The number of PC trophozoites was higher In patients with PCP who mere receiving prophy laxis than in those not receiving prophylaxis. Also the cyst: trophozo ite ratio was lower in the first group. No difference was observed bet ween patients receiving different prophylactic medications. The imbala nce between PC forms in BALF from patients with PCP receiving anti-PC prophylaxis may hamper the sensitivity of cyst stains. Multiple stains or PCR examination should be performed on BALF from patients with cli nically suspected PCP who are receiving prophylaxis.