[Induced expectoration: its role in the diagnosis of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia].

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the changes and the effect of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis on induced sputum sensitivity during these five last years

METHODS

An induced sputum examination was performed in 80 cases of PCP over a 5-year period.

RESULTS

The induced sputum were positive in 30 cases (sensitivity = 37.5%). This sensitivity changed very little during these five years. Thirty of these 80 patients (37.5%) received PCP prophylaxis at least for four weeks before PCP diagnosis. Induced sputum sensitivity was 50% in the group with prophylaxis versus 30% in the group without prophylaxis (p = 0.073).

CONCLUSION

In our institution, the induced sputum examination remains an interesting diagnostic procedure for PCP. PCP prophylaxis does not seem to have effects on induced sputum sensitivity.