Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia: Cytological and Ultrastructural Features.
- Author:
Kun Young KWON
1
;
Cheol Hee YUN
;
Sang Pyo KIM
;
Kwan Kyu PARK
;
Eun Sook CHANG
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pneumocystis carinii;
Cytology;
Ultrastructure;
Bronchoalveloar lavage
- MeSH:
Animals;
Bronchoalveolar Lavage*;
Membranes;
Pneumocystis carinii*;
Pneumocystis*;
Pneumonia;
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis*;
Rats;
Sporozoites;
Therapeutic Irrigation;
Trophozoites
- From:Korean Journal of Cytopathology
1994;5(1):1-9
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The cytological and ultrastructural findings of Pneumocystis carinii(PC) obtained from rats by bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) are described. All developmental forms of the PC organisms were obtained in the lavage fluid. Ultrastructurally, the cysts were almost circular in shape, and were nearly devoid of surface tubular extensions. The wall of the cyst was composed of an unit membrane, and intermediate electron lucent layer and an external electron dense layer. The cysts frequently contained intracystic bodies, so called sporozoites. Occasionally empty or collapsed cysts with no intracystic bodies, and precysts were found. Trophozoites were variable in size and shape with abundant tubular extensions along the single electron dense pellicle. BAL is a useful method for concentrating the various morphologic forms of PC organisms, and is a rapid diagnostic method for PC pneumonia.
