Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia in HIV Infected Patients from south India

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common opportunistic infection in AIDS patients. To find out the prevalence of PCP among HIV infected patients, to elicit its association with pulmonary tuberculosis and gender, and to find out the superiority of the commonly used stains to detect pneumocystis. After getting approval from Institutional Ethical Committee, this study was carried out among 144 newly detected HIV infected patients who satisfied a presumptive diagnosis of PCP as per CDC/CDSC, attending Thoracic medicine department, Govt hospital. HIV infection was established by two different ELISA tests. Induced sputum was collected from each patient and processed for PCP by Giemsa and Toluidine blue staining, and for acid fast bacilli by Ziehl Neelsen method. The data were analyzed statistically. Among 144, PCP was identified both by Giemsa and Toluidine blue staining in 77. In addition, Giemsa helped to identify two 2 more cases of PCP. However, there was no statistical difference (P < 0.53), among the two stains used. Prevalence of PCP in HIV positive TB negative, HIV and TB co-infected group was 61%, and 54% respectively. The PCP among symptomatic HIV infected patients was 54.8%. The results of the study suggest that Giemsa staining is user-friendly.