Cystic parotid masses in HIV infection

Cystic enlargement of the parotid gland is a newly described manifestation of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A review of 15 such patients with respect to clinical presentation, natural history, and management is presented. Follow-up ranges from 1 to 27 months, averaging 10 months. In 47% of the patients, parotid swelling was the chief complaint leading to the diagnosis of HIV infection. T-cell analysis revealed the tendency for this lesion to occur in the early stages of immunodeficiency when T-cell counts are high. Histologic examination revealed findings resembling benign lymphoepithelial lesion. It is felt that these lesions are a local manifestation of a systemic disease and treatment should be tailored with this in mind. Surgical excision may not be necessary. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was found to be useful diagnostically and therapeutically. Recognition of this entity is essential for the head and neck specialist in providing an early diagnosis of HIV infection.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, with or without the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC), have an increased incidence of tuberculosis, especially of an extrapulmonary nature. The condition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The reported incidence of the combination of tuberculosis and AIDS varies between 4% and 10% of AIDS patients, with a higher incidence noted in the male, inner-city, intravenous-drug-abuser population. Clinical findings may reflect the site of infection, but are often nondiagnostic. Diagnosis often requires biopsy for histopathologic evaluation and tissue culture to document the presence of granulomas and mycobacterial organisms. Universal body fluid precautions among these patients are mandatory, and respiratory isolation should be maintained during diagnostic evaluation and early treatment. These patients usually respond to standard antituberculosis therapy. Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion of tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection. Conversely, the diagnosis of HIV infection should be considered in patients with unusual manifestations of tuberculosis. Because tuberculosis is one of the few potentially curable infections in the AIDS patient, recognition of its presence is crucial.     

Fine-needle aspiration of diffuse cervical lymphadenopathy in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Although diffuse cervical lymphadenopathy is one of the earliest and most common findings in patients with AIDS, the appropriate diagnostic approach in these patients has yet to be determined. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed on 26 patients with AIDS in order to evaluate the role of FNA in patients with diffuse cervical adenopathy. Specimens were sent for cytology, bacterial culture, fungal culture, and acid-fast smear and culture. Ten patients had positive findings, including toxoplasmosis, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterium, and methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infection. All patients with either unilateral adenopathy or lymph nodes 3 cm or larger had positive aspirates. A statistically significant difference between patients with lymph nodes smaller than 2 cm and those with nodes larger than 2 cm was found. Fine-needle aspiration of a representative node in patients with AIDS may allow prompt diagnosis of diffuse lymphadenopathy. Rapid initiation of appropriate treatment can lead to symptomatic improvement. The need for excisional biopsy of involved lymph nodes may be obviated. Fine-needle aspiration is recommended as a diagnostic tool in selected patients with diffuse cervical lymphadenopathy and AIDS.     

Identification of HIV patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis using urine based polymerase chain reaction assay

BACKGROUND: Despite the increased dissemination of tuberculosis among HIV infected patients, the diagnosis is difficult to establish. Traditional microbiological methods lack satisfactory sensitivity. We have developed a highly sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capable of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in urine specimens and have used this test to examine urine specimens from HIV patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: Urine specimens from 13 HIV infected patients with microbiologically proven active pulmonary tuberculosis, 10 AIDS patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (documented by blood culture), 53 AIDS patients with no evidence of mycobacterial disease, and 80 healthy subjects (25 with positive skin test to purified protein derivative) were tested for M tuberculosis using PCR, acid fast staining (AFS), and culture. RESULTS: Of the urine specimens from patients with active tuberculosis, all tested positive by PCR, two by culture, and none by AFS. No reactivity was observed in urine specimens from patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. Of the 53 AIDS patients without mycobacterial infection, one had a positive urine PCR. Normal subjects were all negative. CONCLUSIONS: Urine based nested PCR for M tuberculosis may be a useful test for identifying HIV patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.     

Tuberculosis and HIV: estimates of the overlap in England and Wales.

BACKGROUND: A study was designed to determine the extent of the interaction between tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection in England and Wales. METHODS: Data were obtained from the United Kingdom national AIDS surveillance and the Medical Research Council tuberculosis notification surveys in England and Wales (1983 and 1988). The proportion of patients reported with AIDS known to have had tuberculosis and the proportion of patients notified with tuberculosis known to have HIV infection were estimated. RESULTS: Of the 4360 patients with AIDS reported by 30 June 1991, 200 (4.6%) were in patients reported to have had tuberculosis. Only one of the 3002 patients (0.03%) reported in the 1983 survey of tuberculosis notifications in England and Wales was known to be infected with HIV compared with nine of 2163 patients (0.42%) in the 1988 survey. CONCLUSION: Although the reported number of cases of HIV infection with tuberculosis in this country is increasing it remains small. Complete reporting of cases of AIDS and notification of cases of tuberculosis are essential to enable the two infections to be monitored as the HIV epidemic develops. Special studies, such as those reported here, will need to be undertaken regularly to assess the future extent of the interaction.     

Head and Neck Histoplasmosis—A Nightmare for Clinicians and Pathologists! Experience at a Tertiary Referral Cancer Centre

Histoplasmosis is a rarely reported deep mycotic infection in the Indian context. Oral or oropharyngeal manifestation can occur as an isolated symptom or as part of a disseminated process associated with immunosuppression especially with HIV and diabetes. Five cases of head and neck histoplasmosis accrued over 6 years in a tertiary referral cancer institute were reviewed. All these patients presented clinically as cancer. In three patients, the marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia led to a mistaken biopsy diagnosis of malignancy following which definitive surgical treatment was performed. The subsequent excision revealed typical features of histoplasmosis. Isolated oral presentation of histoplasmosis can mimic malignancy both clinically as well as pathologically, leading to potentially disastrous consequences. A high index of suspicion in those with overt or hidden immunosuppression and a deep wedge biopsy to demonstrate the organisms in the subepithelial tissue is recommended. This work has been presented in the “Slide seminar on Infections and Infestations” in the IAP-ID pre conference CME in APCON 2006.     

Mycobacterial infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Of 207 homosexual or bisexual patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), 24 with the AIDS related complex, and 39 with asymptomatic HIV infection, 32 patients were found to have mycobacterial infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in 13 patients with AIDS and in two with the AIDS related complex. M avium-intracellulare was found in 15 patients with AIDS and was disseminated in 12. One patient was infected with M kansasii and one with M ulcerans. Invasive procedures were frequently required to obtain positive bacteriological results. Subclinical carriage of M avium-intracellulare and other mycobacteria thought to be nonpathogenic was common in patients seronegative for the human immunodeficiency virus and at all stages of human immunodeficiency virus infection. All but one isolate of M tuberculosis were fully sensitive to standard antimycobacterial antibiotics. Response to treatment was usually rapid. M avium-intracellulare isolates were all resistant to first line agents in vitro, and antibiotics such as ansamycin and amikacin were required to obtain a clinical response.     

A Single Surgical Unit’s Experience with Abdominal Tuberculosis in the HIV/AIDS Era

Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has resulted in a resurgence of abdominal tuberculosis in South Africa, and these patients often present to general surgeons. We describe a single-hospital experience in a region of high HIV prevalence. Methods A prospective database of all patients with suspected abdominal tuberculosis was maintained from January 2003 until July 2005. Results There were 67 patients (20 men, 47 women) with an average age of 32 years (range 27–61 years). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was universally elevated (105 ± 23). Altogether, 23 patients were HIV-positive and 7 were HIV-negative. The status was unknown in the remainder. Chest radiographs demonstrated an abnormality in 17 patients (22%). Abdominal ultrasonography was performed in 59 patients and computed tomography in 12. Twelve laparotomies were performed, seven as emergencies. None in the elective laparotomy group died, whereas the mortality rate in the emergency group was 60%. Laparoscopy was insufficient for a variety of reasons. Two patients underwent appendectomy and two excision of a perianal fistula. Two patients underwent biopsy of a palpable subcutaneous node, which confirmed the diagnosis in both cases. A definitive diagnosis was achieved in all 12 patients subjected to laparotomy and at colonoscopic biopsy in 2, lymph node biopsy in 2, appendectomy in 2, perianal fistulectomy in 2, and percutaneous drainage in 2. In the remaining 47 patients the diagnosis was made on the basis of the clinical presentation and radiologic imaging. The patients were commenced on antituberculous therapy. The in-hospital mortality in this group was 10%. Therapy was continued at a centralized tuberculosis facility independent of the hospital. Surgical follow-up was poor, with only five (7%) patients completing the 6-month review at a surgical clinic. Conclusions A resurgence in tuberculosis during the HIV era produces a new spectrum of presentations for the surgeon. Emergency surgery is associated with high mortality. Bacterial and histologic evidence of infection are difficult to obtain, and indirect clinical and imaging evidence are used to commence a trial of therapy. A short-term clinical response is regarded as proof of disease. Lack of follow-up means that the efficacy of this strategy is unproven. Health policy changes are needed to enable appropriate surgical follow-up to determine the most effective management algorithm.     

A single surgical unit's experience with abdominal tuberculosis in the HIV/AIDS era

INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has resulted in a resurgence of abdominal tuberculosis in South Africa, and these patients often present to general surgeons. We describe a single-hospital experience in a region of high HIV prevalence. METHODS: A prospective database of all patients with suspected abdominal tuberculosis was maintained from January 2003 until July 2005. RESULTS: There were 67 patients (20 men, 47 women) with an average age of 32 years (range 27-61 years). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was universally elevated (105 +/- 23). Altogether, 23 patients were HIV-positive and 7 were HIV-negative. The status was unknown in the remainder. Chest radiographs demonstrated an abnormality in 17 patients (22%). Abdominal ultrasonography was performed in 59 patients and computed tomography in 12. Twelve laparotomies were performed, seven as emergencies. None in the elective laparotomy group died, whereas the mortality rate in the emergency group was 60%. Laparoscopy was insufficient for a variety of reasons. Two patients underwent appendectomy and two excision of a perianal fistula. Two patients underwent biopsy of a palpable subcutaneous node, which confirmed the diagnosis in both cases. A definitive diagnosis was achieved in all 12 patients subjected to laparotomy and at colonoscopic biopsy in 2, lymph node biopsy in 2, appendectomy in 2, perianal fistulectomy in 2, and percutaneous drainage in 2. In the remaining 47 patients the diagnosis was made on the basis of the clinical presentation and radiologic imaging. The patients were commenced on antituberculous therapy. The in-hospital mortality in this group was 10%. Therapy was continued at a centralized tuberculosis facility independent of the hospital. Surgical follow-up was poor, with only five (7%) patients completing the 6-month review at a surgical clinic. CONCLUSIONS: A resurgence in tuberculosis during the HIV era produces a new spectrum of presentations for the surgeon. Emergency surgery is associated with high mortality. Bacterial and histologic evidence of infection are difficult to obtain, and indirect clinical and imaging evidence are used to commence a trial of therapy. A short-term clinical response is regarded as proof of disease. Lack of follow-up means that the efficacy of this strategy is unproven. Health policy changes are needed to enable appropriate surgical follow-up to determine the most effective management algorithm.     

HIV/AIDS合并肺结核患者抗结核分枝杆菌治疗肝毒性的危险因素

目的探讨人类免疫缺陷病毒感染/获得性免疫缺乏综合征（HIV/AIDS）合并肺结核患者抗结核分枝杆菌治疗肝毒性的危险因素。 方法收集201年8月至2015年5月西安市第八医院收治的321例HIV/AIDS合并肺结核患者的全血及临床资料,并于患者抗结核分枝杆菌治疗后随访4个月。检测患者N-乙酰化转移酶2（NAT2）基因型。Logistic回归分析患者抗结核分枝杆菌治疗肝毒性的影响因素。 结果321例HIV/AIDS合并肺结核患者失访96例,剩余225例患者中73例（32.4%）发生药物性肝毒性（肝毒性组）,152例（67.6%）未发生药物性肝毒性（无肝毒性组）。两组患者身体质量指数（BMI）（χ² = 0.830、P = 0.003）、NAT2基因型（χ² = 7.361、P = 0.025）、CD4细胞计数（χ² = 4.380、P = 0.036）以及氟康唑治疗患者数（χ² = 9.924、P = 0.002）差异均具有统计学意义。BMI、NAT2基因型和氟康唑治疗均为患者抗结核分枝杆菌治疗肝毒性的独立危险因素（P均< 0.05）。 结论低BMI、慢乙酰型NAT2基因型HIV/AIDS合并肺结核患者抗结核分枝杆菌治疗易发生肝毒性,建议慎重同时使用抗结核分枝杆菌治疗药物和氟康唑。     

The growing impact of HIV infection on the epidemiology of tuberculosis in England and Wales: 1999 2003

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have estimated the prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV infection in population subgroups in the UK. This study was undertaken to describe recent trends in the proportion of individuals with HIV infection among reported cases of tuberculosis in England and Wales, and to review the implications for clinical and public health care. METHODS: A population-based matching study using national surveillance databases was used to investigate all persons aged 15 years and over reported with a diagnosis of tuberculosis to the Health Protection Agency in England and Wales in 1999-2003. Record linkage was used to match the national tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS surveillance databases to identify all cases of tuberculosis and determine the proportion of patients with tuberculosis co-infected with HIV. The distribution and characteristics of the cases were determined and the trend examined by year. RESULTS: Of 30,670 cases of tuberculosis reported in England and Wales between 1999 and 2003, an estimated 1743 (5.7%) were co-infected with HIV. There was a year on year increase in the proportion from 3.1% (169/5388) in 1999 to 8.3% (548/6584) in 2003 (p for trend <0.0001). Co-infected patients contributed to almost a third of the increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis during the 5 year period. Patients co-infected with HIV were predominantly those born abroad. 18.5% (n = 323) of co-infected patients had not been reported as active cases of tuberculosis on the national tuberculosis database. CONCLUSION: The proportion of patients with tuberculosis co-infected with HIV in England and Wales is increasing, with the greatest impact on those born abroad regardless of their ethnic origin. With HIV infection contributing substantially to the increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis, close cooperation in the clinical management and accurate notification of patients is vital if appropriate care and public health action is to be achieved.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征合并颅内占位性病变患者的病理学分析

目的通过分析获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）合并颅内占位性病变患者的临床病理类型,以提高对AIDS合并颅内占位性病变的诊断水平,改善患者预后。 方法回顾性分析首都医科大学附属北京地坛医院2013年5月至2017年5月神经外科手术收治的36例AIDS合并颅内占位性病变患者的CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞计数、脑脊液检查指标、脑活体组织检查以及临床表现。分别根据患者中外周血CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞计数和病理学类型进行分组。 结果颅内占位性病变AIDS患者占同期入院患者的1.45%。临床表现主要为发热、头疼、呕吐、肢体障碍和意识障碍等。无特殊病原体感染的HIV脑病患者16例（44.4%）;脑实质感染性病变患者12例（33.3%）,其中结核分枝杆菌感染者6例（16.7%）,真菌感染者3例（8.3%）,弓形虫感染者1例（2.8%）,巨细胞病毒感染者1例（2.8%）,梅毒感染者1例（2.8%）;发生颅内肿瘤患者8例（22.2%）,其中弥漫大B淋巴细胞瘤患者4例（11.1%）,Burkitt淋巴瘤患者3例（8.3%）,少突胶质细胞瘤患者1例（2.8%）,经治疗后,好转者27例（占75%）,无变化者5例（占13.9%）和死亡4例（占11.1%）。36例患者中外周血CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞计数< 50个/μl者20例（55.6%）,50~100个/μl者7例（19.4%）,100~200/μl者5例（13.9%）,> 200个/μl者4例（11.1%）。HIV脑病与脑实质感染性病变、颅内肿瘤患者CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞计数比较,HIV脑病患者CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞计数低于其他两种病变,但差异无统计学意义（F = 0.4、P = 0.31,F = 0.17、P = 0.26）。 结论AIDS合并颅内占位性病变病理类型复杂,HIV脑病发病率最高,其次是机会性感染和肿瘤。当患者CD4⁺ T淋巴细胞计数< 200个/μl时,应尽早行脑活体组织学检查以明确诊断,改善患者预后,提高治愈率。     

Management of empyema thoracis at Lusaka, Zambia.

Of the 39 consecutive patients with empyema thoracis managed by one of the five general surgical units at Lusaka, Zambia, 26 suffered from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and 19 were diagnosed as suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis within 3 years of developing empyema thoracis. Thirty patients were between 16 and 40 years of age; of these, 22 suffered from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and all 19 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis belonged to this age group. Of the four patients with empyema thoracis in the age group of 0-5 years, two were suffering from AIDS. The majority of cases of empyema thoracis associated with AIDS present insidiously and, because of late presentation, rib resection is necessary. After surgery these patients were managed at home with the help of a home care team, thus reducing the burden on hospital resources. The morbidity and mortality rates in these patients are higher than in those in whom empyema thoracis is not associated with AIDS.     

Initial manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the head and neck region

Initial manifestation of AIDS in the head and neck region occurs frequently. The purpose of this report has been to alert the head and neck surgeon to the occurrence of AIDS-related lesions, their clinical characteristics, and disease outcome. Incomplete recognition of these disorders may delay appropriate diagnostic study and initiation of therapy. We have described 10 patients in whom the initial manifestation of AIDS-related malignancies occurred in the head and neck region. Six of these patients were found to have Kaposi's sarcoma, whereas four had non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The specific clinical and pathologic aspects of the disease have been described, which represent common patterns of presentation. It is crucial to obtain an accurate social history, as well as a complete medical history from any patient suspected of having AIDS, and prompt biopsy of suspect lesions should be performed.     

艾滋病患者耳鼻咽喉-头颈部疾患的临床分析

目的研究艾滋病患者耳鼻咽喉-头颈部的临床表现,增强对艾滋病导致的耳鼻咽喉-头颈部疾病的认知能力,探讨其治疗方法。方法分析本院其他科室住院到耳鼻喉科会诊的艾滋病患者共136例的临床资料。结果经局部及全身的积极治疗后多数患者症状有所好转,但易复发,少数患者治疗无效甚至死亡,本组患者的治疗有效率为67．7％,无效率为25．9％,病死率为6．3％。结论艾滋病患者免疫力下降,易发生耳鼻咽喉-头颈部的机会性感染及肿瘤,应引起高度警惕及重视,早期诊断,积极治疗,预防传播。     

Prospective randomized clinical trial of the effect of needle size on pain, sample adequacy and accuracy in head and neck fine-needle aspiration cytology

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is useful in the diagnosis of many conditions of the head and neck. No reported studies have investigated the optimal needle gauge in the head and neck region. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized trial of 100 patients who required FNAC performed with either a 21G or 23G needle. Discomfort was scored by patients using a visual analogue scale. Sample accuracy was assessed in patients who subsequently had excision biopsy. RESULTS: FNAC performed with a 23G needle was less painful (mean +/- SE, 1.6 +/- 1.01) than FNAC with a 21G needle (3.3 +/- 1.94; p < .001). There was no difference in sample adequacy between the 2 needle sizes (p = .59). The sensitivities and specificities of both needles were similar. CONCLUSION: Head and neck FNAC should routinely be performed with a 23G needle, resulting in less patient discomfort, and giving sample adequacy comparable to a conventional 21G needle.     

AIDS合并症的经皮介入治疗

目的探讨经皮介入技术在艾滋病（AIDS）伴发合并症患者中的临床应用价值。方法对21例AIDS伴发合并症患者,采用CT引导下经皮穿刺活检或置管引流术,观察介入诊断的正确率、临床疗效及术后并发症。结果所有患者均获得操作成功。14例患者接受16次穿刺活检,11例（13例次）获得诊断,诊断率81.25%。6例脓肿及囊肿引流,病灶完全消失3例,病灶缩小2例,1例无明显变化,仍持续保留导管引流。1例脾栓塞面积约50%,术后血小板升高,出现暂时性肝功能降低。所有患者均无并发感染及其他严重并发症。未发生医护人员暴露感染。结论介入技术在AIDS患者合并症的临床应用是安全可行的,但应注意严格预防暴露感染。     

An estimate of the contribution of HIV infection to the recent rise in tuberculosis in England and Wales

BACKGROUND: The number of patients with tuberculosis has been increasing slowly in England and Wales since the late 1980s. HIV infection has been a contributory factor to increases in tuberculosis in a number of comparable industrialised countries. This study investigated the extent of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in England and Wales in 1993 and 1998, and estimated its contribution to the increase in tuberculosis observed during this period. METHODS: Patients aged 16-54 years old at diagnosis on the 1993 and 1998 National Tuberculosis Survey databases were matched with those on the HIV/AIDS patient database. A coded process maintained patient confidentiality. Primary outcome measures were the increase between 1993 and 1998 in the numbers with both infections reported and an estimate of the proportion of the increase in tuberculosis during this period attributable to HIV co-infection. RESULTS: In 1993 61 (2.2%) tuberculosis patients aged 16-54 years matched with patients reported to the HIV database, increasing to 112 (3.3%) in 1998 (p=0.08; OR 1.35; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.87). Patients co-infected with HIV contributed an estimated 8.5% of the increase in number of tuberculosis patients between 1993 and 1998 nationwide (11% in London). In both years prevalence of co-infection was greatest in London and in patients of white and black African ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: In 1998 the number of tuberculosis patients co-infected with HIV in England and Wales, though still small, had nearly doubled since 1993, with most of the increase occurring in London. As HIV infection may be undiagnosed in patients with tuberculosis, and tuberculosis may be unreported in patients with diagnosed HIV infection, the true extent of co-infection will have been underestimated by this study. In addition, constraints in coded matching make it inevitable that some reported co-infections are missed. Routine HIV testing of all patients with tuberculosis should now be considered, particularly in patients of white or black African ethnic origin under 55 years of age.     

Pulmonary complications of HIV disease: 10 year retrospective evaluation of yields from bronchoalveolar lavage, 1983-93.

BACKGROUND--Pulmonary disease is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection and AIDS. The aim of this study was to describe bronchoscopic findings and the spectrum of pulmonary pathogens in HIV seropositive patients undergoing investigation of respiratory disease over a 10 year period in a major UK referral centre. METHODS--Recruitment was procedure based with data being captured when bronchoscopy was clinically indicated. Data were evaluated from 580 HIV seropositive patients (559 men, age 13-65 years) over a 10 year period from June 1983 to March 1993. RESULTS--A total of 947 bronchoscopies was performed. The most frequent pulmonary pathogen isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in 44% of all bronchoscopies was Pneumocystis carinii. Of all patients studied, 324 (55%) had at least one cytologically confirmed episode of P carinii pneumonia; this was AIDS defining in 219 (38%) of patients who underwent bronchoscopy. Between 1987 and 1993 the overall diagnostic yield from BAL fluid was 76%; 25% of all bronchoscopies yielded positive microbiological results, the most frequent isolates being Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas spp, and Haemophilus influenzae. Mycobacteria were identified in 8% of patients; M tuberculosis was the most common being identified in 3% of lavage samples and in 4% of patients. No drug-resistant M tuberculosis was found. Viral isolates (mainly cytomegalovirus) were identified in up to 31% of BAL fluid samples. Endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma was seen in 15% of patients at bronchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS--Of the 1956 newly diagnosed HIV seropositive patients receiving clinical care at St Mary's Hospital over this period, approximately 30% underwent bronchoscopy. Diagnostic rates for P carinii pneumonia, endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma, and bacterial and mycobacterial infection have remained largely constant since 1989. Bronchoalveolar lavage produces high diagnostic yields generally, and P carinii pneumonia remains a common cause of pulmonary disease in these patients.     

Value of flow cytometry in the evaluation of head and neck fine-needle lymphoid aspirates: a 3-year retrospective review of a community-based practice.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical efficacy of flow cytometry in patients suspected of having a lymphoma with head and neck pathology. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 49 patients with lymphoid aspirates having concurrent flow cytometry studies. SETTING: Private practice office-based study. CONCLUSION: Fine-needle aspiration with concurrent flow cytometry is a useful, convenient adjunct to the diagnosis of head and neck non-Hodgkins lymphomas. SIGNIFICANCE: Flow cytometry is a significant improvement over fine-needle aspiration derived cytologic diagnosis alone. Tissue open biopsy may be avoided altogether in some patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.