USEFULNESS OF PCR FOR DETECTION OF PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII DNA

Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is based on the identifica tion of the various stages of the parasite in lung samples by standard staining techniques. We therefore assessed the value of the PCR for d etection of P. carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage, induced sputum, and blood samples relative to that of standard staining techniques.