Frequency of trichomonads as coinfecting agents in Pneumocystis pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of the association of Trichomonas and Pneumocystis in the lung.

STUDY

DESIGN

Sixty-six bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from immunocompromised patients with pneumocystosis were retrospectively examined microscopically.

RESULTS

Trichomonads were found as coinfecting agents in 60% of BALF samples. The frequency and abundance of trichomonads was increased, up to 100%, in cases rich in Pneumocystis.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that pulmonary Trichomonas infection occurs frequently in the course of Pneumocystis pneumonia. The role of trichomonads in causing alveolar damage during Pneumocystis pneumonia is hypothetical.