Early experience and difficulties with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy in the diagnosis of AIDS associated pneumonia in Britain.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy were used as adjuncts to the management of patients with pneumonia associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at the Middlesex Hospital [London, UK]. The experience gained and difficulties encountered in the first 5 cases are reported. Widely varying organisms were isolated from lavage aspirates, some of which may have been nasopharyngeal contaminants. Organisms cultured from the transbronchial biopsy specimens may offer a better guide to antimicrobial treatment. Pneumocystis carinii was found in 2 patients. In view of the potentially serious toxicity of high dose co-trimoxazole, continuation of this treatment may be inadvisable if P. carinii is not identified by all available methods unless there are strong clinical grounds to suspect its presence.