Role of multiple induced sputum examination in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

We evaluated the usefulness of repeated nebulized saline induced sputum examinations among 60 HIV infected patients clinically suspected to have Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). We found that the first sample was positive for 15 episodes (21.4%); the second sample was positive in 33 episodes (47.1%); the third sample was positive in 22 episodes (31.4%). Repeated nebulized saline induced sputum examination imporved the yield of Pneumocystis carinii and enhanced the sensitivity of a positive result. This technique is simple, cost-effective, non-invasive, and reliable. We recommend the examination of multiple induced samples of nebulized saline induced sputum in all HIV infected patients with suspected PCP. This recommendation may decrease the need for invasive procedures.