Pneumocystis colonization in older adults and diagnostic yield of single versus paired noninvasive respiratory sampling

Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Feb 1;50(3):e19-21. doi: 10.1086/649869.

Abstract

The presence of Pneumocystis was assessed in oropharyngeal wash specimens from 110 adults (median age, 76 years; age range, 69-95 years), 66 of whom had a paired nasal swab specimen. Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA was detected in 12.8% of oropharyngeal wash specimens, and the frequency increased to 21.5% in paired specimens. Pneumocystis colonization is prevalent in older adults. Double noninvasive sampling increases the diagnostic yield.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carrier State / epidemiology*
  • Carrier State / microbiology*
  • DNA, Fungal / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nasal Cavity / microbiology
  • Oropharynx / microbiology
  • Pneumocystis Infections / epidemiology*
  • Pneumocystis Infections / microbiology*
  • Pneumocystis carinii / isolation & purification*
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal