Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

8.6K

Diagnosis of the primary infection by pneumocystis in autopsy specimens from two infants using lung impression smears

Carolina A Ponce1, Rebeca I Bustamante1, Myriam Gallo2

  • 1Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Chile School of Medicine, Independencia 1027, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.

Medical Mycology Case Reports
|July 9, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pneumocystis infection in infants is often undetected. Lung impression smears (LIS) with Hema-Gurr and Gomori-Grocott stains offer a complementary, accessible method for diagnosing Pneumocystis in infant lungs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pathology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pneumocystis infection in healthy infants is typically asymptomatic and undiagnosed.
  • Unexpected infant deaths may involve undiagnosed infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utility of lung impression smears (LIS) for diagnosing Pneumocystis in infant cases.
  • To evaluate complementary staining methods for Pneumocystis detection.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic examination of lung impression smears (LIS) from two deceased infants.
  • Application of Hema-Gurr stain followed by Gomori-Grocott stain on the same smear.
  • Identification of Pneumocystis nuclei and cysts.

Main Results:

  • Pneumocystis nuclei and cysts were successfully identified in the infant lung samples.
  • Hema-Gurr and Gomori-Grocott staining proved complementary for Pneumocystis visualization.
  • LIS demonstrated potential as a diagnostic tool.

Conclusions:

  • Lung impression smears (LIS) are a viable, cost-effective, and readily available method for detecting Pneumocystis in infant lungs.
  • Complementary staining techniques enhance diagnostic accuracy for Pneumocystis in pediatric cases.
Keywords:
InfantLungMicroscopy diagnosisPneumocystisPrimary infection

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE03:22

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE

Published on: March 1, 2024

1.4K
Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways10:06

Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways

Published on: December 13, 2024

976

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
1.3K
Sputum Studies I: Gram Stain, cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture01:26

Sputum Studies I: Gram Stain, cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture

Sputum studies are a critical part of diagnosing and treating numerous respiratory conditions. These studies involve obtaining sputum samples for analysis to identify pathogenic organisms and assess the presence of abnormal cells indicative of malignant conditions. This lesson will delve into three fundamental sputum studies: Gram Stain, Cytology, and Acid-fast Smear and Culture.
Gram Stain
The Gram Stain is an integral part of sputum studies. It involves the staining of sputum, which permits...
1.3K
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
1.4K
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
20
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
79