FIG. 2.

Measurement of surfactant activity during the course of P. carinii (Pc) infection in SCID mice. Minimum surface tensions of the BAL fluid from nonreconstituted SCID mice at 9, 12, and 15 weeks after initial exposure to P. carinii were measured. P. carinii-free SCID mice were used as controls for normal surfactant activity. Minimum surface tension measurements were made with a pulsating-bubble surfactometer at 37°C during continuous cycling at a rate of 20 cycles/min. Each value is the mean ± 1 standard error for six mice.