Pneumocystis carinii isolated from lung lavage fluid in an infant with cystic fibrosis

Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii) cysts were identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a 15-week-old child newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis who presented with bronchitis, pneumonia, and weight loss. The child was no t infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and there was no eviden ce of impaired immunity or exposure to individuals with known or suspected P. carinii disease. Culture of the ravage fluid also revealed pathogens typ ical of lung disease associated with cystic fibrosis. It is suspected that the presence of P. carinii in this patient represented a new acquisition, a s has been described in immunocompetent infants and children. Whether P. ca rinii infection complicated cystic fibrosis-associated lung disease in this patient is unknown. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2000; 29:235-238. (C) 2000 Wiley-Lis s, Inc.