Identification of Pneumocystis carinii in immunodeficient mice

Various procedures were utilized to determine the most sensitive, cost and labor effective techniques for detection of Pneumocystis carinii in immunologically compromised mice. Immunoperoxidase staining techniques that utilized polyclonal antibodies directed against purified rat or mouse P. carinii were more sensitive and specific than staining with Gomori's methenamine silver. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy on frozen sections was comparable to immunoperoxidase staining, but lacked fine cytologic detail. Impression smears were of limited value when stained with Diff-Quik Stain, Harleco's Hemacolor, Wright-Giemsa or Wright-Leishman stains. However, cysts could be detected consistently in imprints stained with Gomori's methanamine silver. Transmission electron microscopy showed ultrastructural detail of P. carinii, but this technique was too costly and time consuming for routine use. Thus, because of its sensitivity and specificity, immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections was the most satisfactory method for screening and identifying P. carinii in lungs of immunocompromised mice.