FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION DIAGNOSIS OF EXTRAPULMONARY PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII LYMPHADENITIS IN A HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS POSITIVE PATIENT

Extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii is an uncommon and probably underd iagnosed complication of pulmonary P. carinii infections. We report th e cytologic diagnosis of a case of P. carinii lymphadenitis which pres ented, without concurrent or historical pneumonitis, in a human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) positive patient who was taking aerosolized pen tamidine. The diagnosis was suggested by abundant granular exudate on the cell block. Only scant, fragmented, irregular-shaped granular exud ate was present on the direct smears and the Millipore filter preparat ion. The diagnosis was confirmed by special stains on the cell block. (C) Wiley-Liss, Inc.