Fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii lymphadenitis in a human immunodeficiency virus positive patient

Diagn Cytopathol. 1995 May;12(3):251-3. doi: 10.1002/dc.2840120312.

Abstract

Extrapulmonary Pneumocystitis carinii is an uncommon and probably underdiagnosed complication of pulmonary P. carinii infections. We report the cytologic diagnosis of a case of P. carinii lymphadenitis which presented, without concurrent or historical pneumonitis, in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patient who was taking aerosolized pentamidine. The diagnosis was suggested by abundant granular exudate on the cell block. Only scant, fragmented, irregular-shaped granular exudate was present on the direct smears and the Millipore filter preparation. The diagnosis was confirmed by special stains on the cell block.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle*
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications
  • HIV Seropositivity / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphadenitis / microbiology
  • Lymphadenitis / pathology*
  • Male
  • Pneumocystis Infections / microbiology
  • Pneumocystis Infections / pathology*