INDUCED SPUTUM - ROLE IN DIAGNOSIS OF PNE UMOCYSTIS-CARINII PNEUMONIA

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.