Cytodiagnosis of viral infections in body cavity fluids

Pleural and pericardial fluid specimens have been studied in seven patients with diagnosis of viral infection. Intranuclear inclusions, multinucleated giant cells with gelatinous nuclear changes and atypical mesothelial cells were observed. These observations suggest that viral involvement of the mesothelium produces cellular changes which can be detected cytologically in routine Papanicolaou-stained body cavity fluid specimens.