Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe th
e changes and the effect of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) proph
ylaxis on induced sputum sensitivity during these five last years. Met
hods: An induced sputum examination was performed in 80 cases of PCP o
ver a 5 year period. Results: The induced sputum were positive in 30 c
ases (sensitivity = 37.5%), This sensitivity changed very little durin
g these five years, Thirty of these 80 patients (37.5%) received PCP p
rophylaxis at least for four weeks before PCP diagnosis. Induced sputu
m sensitivity was 50% in the group with prophylaxis versus 30% in the
group without prophylaxis (p = 0.073). Conclusion: In our institution,
the induced sputum examination remains an interesting diagnostic proc
edure for PCP, PCP prophylaxis does not seem to have effects on induce
d sputum sensitivity.