Carriage of Pneumocystis carinii in children with chronic lung diseases

The authors aim to detect Pneumocystis carinii in nasopharingeal aspirate (NPA) and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) specimens from 71 immunocompetent children with chronic lung diseases (CLD) using a nested PCR . NPA as well as PBMCs have been shown to be useful samples which provide a ready, safe and economic alternative tool compared to other invasive procedures in children. P. carinii carriers do exist among patients with CLD in absence of HIV infection, quantitative immunodeficiency, predisposing illness and previous additional sources of Pneumocystis carinii through contact with infected persons or other environmental foci