CYTOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS OF EXTRAPULMONARY PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII INFECTION IN PLEURAL AND ASCITIC FLUID - REPORT OF A CASE IN A PATIENT WITH THE ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME

We present a case of an extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient undergoing prophyla ctic treatment with pentamidine. The diagnosis was established in pleu ral and ascitic fluid, and the patient died before starting specific s ystemic treatment. We discuss the cytologic differences between pulmon ary and extrapulmonary infections and the importance of careful screen ing for this pathogen in immunosuppressed patients.