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Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment
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Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment

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Prevalence and clinical predictors of Pneumocystis colonization among HIV-infected men

Alison Morris1, Lawrence A Kingsley, Gena Groner

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

AIDS (London, England)
|April 13, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Pneumocystis colonization is common in HIV patients, with smoking and location being key risk factors. Further research is needed to understand its role in transmission and lung health.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • HIV/AIDS Research

Background:

  • The epidemiology and transmission of Pneumocystis are not well understood.
  • Risk factors for Pneumocystis colonization are largely unknown.
  • The incidence of Pneumocystis colonization in HIV-infected individuals requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Pneumocystis colonization in HIV-infected patients at autopsy.
  • To identify clinical variables associated with Pneumocystis colonization.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of autopsy lung tissue from HIV-infected patients in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.
  • Detection of Pneumocystis DNA using nested PCR.
  • Statistical analysis of clinical data to identify predictors of colonization.

Main Results:

  • Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 46% of subjects.
  • CD4 count, prophylaxis, and antiretroviral use were not associated with colonization.
  • Cigarette smoking was a significant risk factor for colonization (OR, 4.5; P = 0.02).
  • City of residence also influenced colonization risk (P = 0.002).

Conclusions:

  • A high rate of Pneumocystis colonization exists in HIV-infected patients.
  • Cigarette smoking and geographic location are novel risk factors for colonization.
  • Further research is needed on the impact of subclinical colonization on disease transmission and lung health.

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