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. 1996 Mar;34(3):728–730. doi: 10.1128/jcm.34.3.728-730.1996

Immunodetection of Pneumocystis carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens compared with methenamine silver stain.

I Lautenschlager 1, O Lyytikainen 1, L Jokipii 1, A Jokipii 1, A Maiche 1, T Ruutu 1, P Tukiainen 1, P Ruutu 1
PMCID: PMC228879  PMID: 8904447

Abstract

Immunodetection of Pneumocystis carinii, based on immunofluorescence and use of a monoclonal antibody specific for an antigen located within the cyst wall and detectable after trypsin digestion only, was compared with a methenamine silver stain in 553 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from immunosuppressed patients. P. carinii was found by immunofluorescence in 72 (86%) and by silver stain in 68 (81%) of the total of 84 positive samples detected by either or both of these methods.

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Selected References

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