Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a population of HIV-positive drug users, with particular reference to sputum induction and fluorescent antibody techniques

Between June 1990 and May 1991, 200 sputum inductions were examined by a fluorescent antibody test (FAT) for Pneumocystis carinii (PC). A total of 164 specimens were negative, 36 were positive and a further 20 inductions were unsuccessful. All patients with a positive result, seven of whom had normal chest X-rays and blood gas analyses, were treated for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) with symptomatic response. Two additional patients were diagnosed as PCP during the study period. No patient with a negative or unsuccessful result developed clinical PCP during that admission, although six did develop 10 episodes of PCP (FAT positive for PC on induced sputum samples) within 3 months of a negative result. Sputum induction was well tolerated by patients and not associated with adverse events. Sensitivity of FAT for PC was 95% and specificity was 100%. These results may in part be because most of the patients were injection drug users (IDUs) who often suffer from chronic productive cough, and also because sputum induction in all cases was supervised by an experienced physiotherapist.     

Diagnostic approach to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the setting of prophylactic aerosolized pentamidine

Recurrent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is common in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who receive prophylaxis with aerosolized pentamidine. In this setting, the number of organisms is reduced and the clinical presentation may be altered. These observations have led to doubts regarding the use of induced sputum to diagnose PCP in patients receiving prophylactic AP. To determine if the examination of induced sputum is useful for patients receiving prophylactic AP, we examined our results over a 12-month period. We also examined several clinical criteria to ascertain if they could predict the likelihood of a positive induced sputum. As assessed by P(A-a)O2, need for admission and mortality, patients receiving AP presented with less severe disease than those not receiving AP. Twelve of 19 (63 percent) patients who developed PCP while receiving prophylactic AP were diagnosed by induced sputum. Induced sputum was positive for 35 of 55 (64 percent) patients who developed PCP and had not been receiving AP. However, there were no clinical characteristics which predicted a positive induced sputum. We conclude that induced sputum is an effective method for diagnosing PCP in patients receiving prophylactic AP.     

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.     

Analysis of induced sputum for the diagnosis of recurrent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

We studied the sensitivity of ISA for diagnosis of second-episode PCP in AIDS patients. We induced sputum in 218 patients who had known or suspected AIDS and who had a presentation suggestive of PCP. All patients with negative sputum smear for PCP underwent BAL. Twenty-five patients were identified who had second-episode PCP at least 30 days after initial diagnosis. Chest roentgenographic infiltrate patterns for these 25 patients were blindly scored as normal, diffuse, upper lobe or focal non-upper lobe. The sensitivity of ISA was 72 percent for the first episode of PCP, 72 percent for the second episode of PCP, 72 percent for patients with second-episode PCP who had initial PCP detected by ISA and 71 percent for patients with second-episode PCP whose first episode of PCP was missed by ISA. Of the ten patients who were treated with AP, only one had a false-negative sputum analysis. A comparison of patients who had second-episode PCP diagnosed by ISA with those who had false-negative sputum analysis showed no difference in time to relapse, chest x-ray film pattern (all diffuse) or use of AP.     

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in giant cell arteritis: A case series

Objective

To describe the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and outcome of patients with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) and biopsy‐proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) seen at a tertiary referral center.

Methods

Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes, all patients with GCA and PCP between January 1, 1976 and December 31, 2008 were identified. Medical records were reviewed. PCP was defined by the identification of Pneumocystis jiroveci organisms in the clinical setting of pneumonia.

Results

We identified 7 patients with GCA (5 women and 2 men) who developed PCP (the mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 71.6 ± 6.1 years). The median time from GCA diagnosis to PCP diagnosis was 3 months (range 1–18 months). All patients were taking prednisone (the median dosage 50 mg/day [range 30–80]) when diagnosed as having PCP. No patients were receiving PCP prophylaxis. PCP was diagnosed by positive smear on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 6 patients (86%) and by positive sputum polymerase chain reaction in 1 patient. All the patients were hospitalized (median duration 17 days [range 12–39 days]). Four patients (57%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Three patients (43%) required mechanical ventilation. Two patients (29%) died; both were on mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion

Although PCP is rare among patients with GCA, this preventable infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.     

Detection of Pneumocystis carinii by DNA amplification in patients with connective tissue diseases: re-evaluation of clinical features of P. carinii pneumonia in rheumatic diseases

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of Pneumocystis carinii DNA in induced sputum of patients with connective tissue diseases and assessed the clinical features of patients positive for P. carinii. METHODS: Sputum was induced by nebulization in 29 in-patients with various connective tissue diseases who presented with symptoms suggestive of P. carinii pneumonia (PCP), and was examined by PCR. RESULTS: Detection of P. carinii DNA by PCR was significantly more sensitive than cytology; 54.5% patients were positive by PCR and only 4.5% by cytology. The prevalence of PCP was higher than previously considered and was especially high in patients receiving > 30 mg/day prednisolone with or without other immunosuppressants. P. carinii-positive patients had significant lymphocytopenia and a low serum IgG level compared with P. carinii-negative patients. P. carinii disappeared within 7-10 days after therapy with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSION: We propose that the use of PCR for detection of P. carinii using induced sputum is a useful and non-invasive method that has high sensitivity and specificity for the early diagnosis of PCP.     

The place of lung 99mTc DTPA aerosol transfer in the investigation of lung infections in HIV positive patients

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common cause of pneumonia in HIV antibody positive patients, but other pneumonias remain important, i.e. streptococcal and mycobacterial infections. A definitive diagnosis relies on obtaining samples from the lung either noninvasively (induced sputum), or invasively (bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial or open lung biopsy). We have used the noninvasive technique of nebulized 99mTc DTPA transfer, to assess patients with PCP (n = 30) and other lung infections (n = 20) to see whether this test will distinguish between the various infections. The presence of a biphasic, rapid transfer curve indicates severe extensive alveolar damage and is seen in PCP or legionella pneumonia. The mean transfer time (T50 +/- SEM) for patients with PCP (whether smokers or nonsmokers) was 2.1 +/- 0.2 min, and for two of the patients with legionella 3.2 min. In PCP effective treatment causes the transfer to slow (mean T50 22.7 +/- 3.3 min, n = 24) and become monoexponential. Other causes of these changes in transfer are discussed. The other pneumonias (streptococcal, mycobacterial, and staphylococcal) did not result in biphasic curves or very rapid times, their T50 values are indistinguishable from cigarette smokers. In this patient group the DTPA transfer is a useful noninvasive investigation with a very rapid, biphasic curve indicating a high probability of PCP.     

Meta-analysis of diagnostic procedures for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-1-infected patients.

Sputum induction is a simple and noninvasive procedure for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) diagnosis in human immunodeficiency virus-1-positive patients, although less sensitive than bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In order to obtain an overview of the diagnostic accuracy of sputum induction, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the comparative sensitivity and specificity of BAL (the "gold standard") and sputum induction was performed. The odds ratio and related 95% confidence interval were calculated using summary receiving operating characteristic curves as well as fixed-effect and random-effect models. Based on pooled data, the negative and positive predictive values were calculated for a range of PCP prevalence using a Bayesian approach. Seven prospective studies assessed the comparative accuracy of BAL and sputum induction. On the whole, sputum induction demonstrated 55.5% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity. The sensitivity of sputum induction was significantly higher with immunofluorescence than with cytochemical staining (67.1 versus 43.1%). In settings of 25-60% prevalence of PCP, the positive and negative predictive values ranged 86-96.7 and 66.2-89.8, respectively, with immunofluorescence, and 79-94.4 and 53-83.5% with cytochemical staining. In conclusion, in a setting of low prevalence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, sputum induction, particularly with immunostaining, appears to be adequate for clinical decision-making.     

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis following bone marrow transplantation.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis (PCP) can occur in immunocompromised hosts, especially AIDS and cancer patients. Although recent research has focused on PCP in AIDS patients, few studies have described the clinical presentation of PCP in recipients of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Between 1976 and 1991, of 1454 BMT patients at the University of Minnesota, PCP was documented in only 19. Eighteen of these had not been receiving PCP prophylaxis. Patients presented with a brief period (2-10 days) of symptoms including dyspnea, cough, and fever in greater than 75% of patients, but had only scant abnormal physical findings. Chest X-rays showed bilateral infiltrates in 58% of all patients, though 15% had no or minimal X-ray findings. Bronchoscopic alveolar lavage confirmed the diagnosis most often, but 13% of lavages were negative and required biopsy for the diagnosis. High dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was the initial treatment for 84% of the patients though 25% of these patients were later switched to pentamidine due to poor response or hypersensitivity reactions. Despite prompt diagnosis and therapy, overall survival was poor, with only 37% of patients surviving pneumonitis. Patients developing PCP less than 6 months post-BMT had greater mortality (89%) versus only 40% in later onset PCP (p less than 0.0001). Despite this better survival in the late-onset PCP cohort, the development of pneumonitis in these patients underscores the necessity for continued PCP prophylaxis beyond 1 year in some patients. Ongoing immunocompromise and need for prophylaxis should be appreciated in patients with graft-versus-host disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia presenting as a fever of unknown origin in a patient without AIDS.

Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia (PCP) remains an opportunistic infection that causes substantial morbidity and mortality in patients who have impaired immune function. PCP in patients who do not have AIDS usually manifests in a more fulminant manner than in patients with AIDS. In recent years, PCP has been reported increasingly in patients with connective tissue disorders. The role of corticosteroids in inducing PCP is well established in humans and animals, though information is currently lacking about the exact mechanism of induction, frequency, dosage, and duration of corticosteroid therapy that predisposes the development of PCP across a variety of patient groups. Until earlier diagnosis and a better understanding of who is at risk are readily available, health care providers need to consider the diagnosis of PCP early in the clinical course of any patient who receives systemic steroid therapy. We report a case of PCP in a patient who took oral steroid treatment for 2 months for suspected connective tissue disorder. The patient presented with a fever of unknown origin. The case is unusual because the patient's serial chest x-ray and gallium scan yielded normal findings and no suggestive respiratory signs or symptoms were found. The only suggestive finding was a consistently elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase level. The diagnosis was established by the identification of Pneumocystic carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.     

Asymptomatic carriage of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis jiroveci</Emphasis> in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan: a possible association between colonization and development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis jiroveci</Emphasis> pneumonia during low-dose MTX therapy

Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) has been used effectively for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its favorable risk-benefit ratio. One of the recent concerns arising from this therapy is a possible increase in the rate of opportunistic infections, particularly Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP). In this study, we report two cases of PCP occurring during low-dose methotrexate therapy for RA and review 13 additional cases from the literature on Japanese patients with RA. The average age of these patients was 67.7 years, and most were over the age of 60. MTX-associated PCP appears to occur more frequently in elderly individuals in Japan. To identify individuals with a high risk of PCP, we performed a polymerase chain reaction on specimens from induced sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from 55 patients with RA. At that point in time, they showed no evidence of PCP development. We found six patients (10.9%) having asymptomatic carriage of P. jiroveci. The mean age of the P. jiroveci-positive patients was 74.7 years, which was significantly older than the P. jiroveci-negative patients (mean age 63.6 years). Of the RA patients over the age of 65, 18.8% (6 cases out of 32) were carriers of P. jiroveci. There were no significant differences in RA duration or counts of white blood cells or lymphocytes between the positive and negative groups. Notably, we encountered a case of PCP occurring in an asymptomatic carrier of P. jiroveci during low-dose MTX therapy for RA. This case appeared to be a reactivation of latent infection. By careful follow-up on the carriers of P. jiroveci, we succeeded in promptly diagnosing PCP, and we employed the appropriate therapeutic strategies for this possibly life-threatening complication.     

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia during maintenance anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy with infliximab for Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials using infliximab have not reported cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), and PCP infection during standard medical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease is uncommon. Postmarketing surveillance through June of 2001 has identified 10 cases of PCP occurring during treatment with infliximab; 3 patients died. CASE HISTORY: A 19-year-old man with Crohn's colitis developed thrush, leukopenia, fever, shortness of breath, and dry cough 21 months after initiating maintenance therapy with azathioprine and infliximab. Azathioprine had been at a stable dose of 75 mg per day (1 mg/kg) and the patient had received his 14th infusion of infliximab 4 weeks prior to presentation. Evaluation revealed the presence of Pneumocystis carinii on induced sputum. Azathioprine was discontinued, and the patient improved after initiating treatment with steroids and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Follow-up 2 weeks later confirmed clinical response to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This case report describes the uncommon occurrence of Pneumocystis pneumonia in the setting of maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease using infliximab and azathioprine. Mechanisms by which azathioprine and infliximab may impair the natural defense mechanisms against Pneumocystis are discussed.     

Haemophilia, AIDS and lung epithelial permeability

Lung 99mTc DTPA transfer was measured in HIV antibody-positive haemophiliacs (11 smokers, 26 nonsmokers, 5 patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP]. Lung 99mTc DTPA transfer as a marker of lung epithelial permeability was measured as the half time of transfer (from airspace into blood). This half time was faster in smokers compared to nonsmokers and the transfer curve was monoexponential. In nonsmokers no difference was observed between asymptomatic HIV-positive haemophiliacs and normal subjects, with the exception of the lung bases. At the lung bases in HIV-positive haemophiliac nonsmokers the transfer was faster than in normal individuals, implying increased alveolar permeability. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia resulted in a rapid transfer of 99mTc DTPA (mean T50 of 2 minutes) and the transfer curve was biphasic, confirming previous observations in homosexual HIV antibody-positive patients with PCP. These changes returned to a monoexponential profile by 6 weeks following successful treatment. The DTPA lung transfer study may enable clinicians to instigate therapy for PCP without the need for initial bronchoscopy and provide a noninvasive method for the reassessment of patients should further respiratory signs or symptoms develop. This method is considered to be highly cost-effective in that it obviates the use of factor VIII concentrates required to cover bronchoscopic procedures and, with its early application and ease of use as a follow-up investigation, permits the evaluation of patients on an outpatient basis, thus reducing hospital costs.     

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is rare in renal transplant recipients receiving only one month of prophylaxis

Prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is recommended for at least 4–12 months after solid organ transplant. In our center, renal transplant recipients receive only 1 month of post‐transplant trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, which also may provide limited protection against Nocardia. We identified only 4 PCP cases and 4 Nocardia cases in 1352 patients receiving renal and renal‐pancreas transplant from 2003 to 2009 at the University of Michigan Health System. Two PCP cases were identified <1 year after transplant, and 2 PCP cases were identified >1 year after transplant (gross attack rate 4/1352, 0.3%). Two Nocardia cases were identified <1 year after transplant, and 2 cases were identified >1 year after transplant. All identified cases received induction therapy (7 of 8 with anti‐thymocyte globulin), whereas about one‐half of all renal transplant patients received induction therapy at our institution. No patient was treated for rejection within 6 months of PCP; 2 of 4 patients with PCP had recent cytomegalovirus infection. All patients with PCP and 3 of 4 patients with Nocardia survived. The benefits of prolonged PCP prophylaxis should be weighed against the adverse events associated with prolonged use of antimicrobials.     

A unique pattern of central nervous system leukemia in acute myelomonocytic leukemia associated with inv(16)(p13q22)

Twenty-six patients with inv(16)(p13q22) or del(16)(q22) in association with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML-M4, FAB classification), and abnormal marrow eosinophils have been treated at this institute. Initial bone marrow eosinophilia (greater than or equal to 4%) was observed in 22 of 26 patients (85%), and abnormal eosinophil morphology, characterized by immature cells with some interspersed basophilic granules, was evident in 26 of 26 (100%). Giemsa-banded chromosome analysis performed in all patients revealed 16 cases with inv(16)(p13q22) alone, and ten cases with additional chromosome changes. Twenty-five patients received combination induction chemotherapy, and 23 (92%) achieved complete remission (CR). The median duration of remission was 18 months (range, six to 72 + months), and the median duration of survival was 34 months (range, 0.5 to 133 months). Nine patients (35%) relapsed in the CNS at a median time of 19 months (range, six to 133 months) from first marrow CR. All patients had leptomeningeal disease, and in addition, six of nine (66%) demonstrated two or more enhancing lesions on computed tomography brain scan, consistent with intracerebral myeloblastomas. Review of 384 Giemsa-banded patients with acute myeloid leukemia revealed no other morphologic or cytogenetic subgroup with either an equivalent incidence of CNS leukemia or documented intracerebral myeloblastomas. This series of inv(16)(p13q22)/del(16)(q22) AMML reports a favorable prognosis for such patients and associates a specific clonal cytogenetic subgroup of acute leukemia with a distinct propensity for CNS relapse, manifesting as leptomeningeal disease and intracerebral myeloblastomas.     

艾滋病合并卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎的临床特点及诊断方法

目的　探讨艾滋病合并卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎 (PCP)的临床特点和诊断方法。方法　对1 999～ 2 0 0 1年经痰聚合酶链反应 (PCR)确诊的 1 2例艾滋病合并PCP进行分析。结果　 (1 )合并结核病 4例 ,细菌性肺炎 1例。 (2 )痰PCR阳性 1 2例 ,其中血PCR阳性 9例 ,姬姆萨染色阳性 6例 ,六胺银染色阳性 5例。 (3) 1 2例CD+ 4(5～ 1 55)× 1 0 6 /L ,平均CD+ 4(51± 48)× 1 0 6 /L ;其中CD+ 4<(1 0 0× 1 0 6 ) /L1 0例 (83 % ) ,CD+ 4<(50× 1 0 6 ) /L 9例 (75 % ) ;CD+ 4/CD+ 8:0 .0 1～ 0 .2 9。结论　 (1 )PCP是艾滋病晚期常见的合并症 ,常常合并其它机会性感染如结核等。 (2 )痰PCR阳性 +典型的临床表现可以确诊PCP。     

First-line autologous stem cell transplantation in primary CNS lymphoma

The treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has been considerably improved over recent years. In this article, we report six cases of PCNSL treated by first-line induction chemotherapy followed by intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Six immunocompetent patients presenting with a PCNSL, confirmed by thoraco-abdomino-pelvic computer tomography scan and bone marrow biopsy, were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by BEAM intensive chemotherapy and ASCT and radiotherapy. At the end of the treatment, all the patients were in complete remission. After a median follow-up of 41.5 months (17-70 months), four patients were alive without signs of relapse (median survival: 35.5 months). Two patients died from relapse at 19 and 23 months. The neurotoxicity was low with epilepsy in one patient and persistent left side dysesthesia in another one. These results are fairly encouraging. Other studies with greater numbers of patients and longer follow-up are needed to confirm this study.     

Unexpected pulmonary involvement in extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the utility of sputum examinations and chest radiographs (CXRs) in patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (XPTB) to detect pulmonary involvement of tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: We studied 72 XPTB patients who were managed through the TB Program, King County, WA, from January 2003 through November 2004. RESULTS: The two most common sites of XPTB were the lymph nodes (36 [50%]) and pleura (12 [17%]). Thirty-five of 72 XPTB patients (49%) had abnormal CXR findings. Sputum was not obtained from 15 patients despite sputum induction. Of the 57 patients from whom sputum was collected, 30 (53%) had abnormal CXR findings, 5 (9%) had sputum smears that were positive for acid-fast bacilli, and 12 (21%) had sputum cultures that were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Weight loss was significantly associated with positive sputum culture findings in a multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 18.72; p = 0.049). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of positive sputum culture results between patients with abnormal CXR findings and those with normal CXR findings (7 of 30 patients [23%] vs 5 of 27 patients [19%], respectively; p = 0.656). Of 24 HIV-negative XPTB patients with normal CXR findings, 2 patients (8%) had positive sputum culture findings. CONCLUSIONS: CXR results did not reliably differentiate XPTB patients with and without positive sputum culture findings. Some XPTB patients had positive sputum culture results despite normal CXR findings and negative HIV status. Weight loss in XPTB patients was associated with positive sputum culture results. Sputum examinations in XPTB patients, regardless of the CXR results, may identify potentially infectious cases of TB.     

肾移植后患者肺孢子菌肺炎的临床特点分析

目的:探讨肾移植后肺孢子菌肺炎(PCP)的临床特点、诊断及治疗方法。方法:本组7例肾移植后患者PCP均经病原学确诊,具有完整的病例资料,并结合国内外相关报道进行文献复习。结果:7例患者中男性5例,女性2例,年龄28～57岁,平均45岁;临床主要表现为发热、干咳、呼吸困难,而肺部体征较少,其特点为"症征不符";动脉血气表现均为低氧血症,严重者为Ⅰ型呼吸衰竭;静脉血乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和(1,3)-β-D-葡聚糖(G试验)水平均明显升高;胸部高分辨CT(HRCT)表现为双肺弥散性磨玻璃影(GGO)伴或不伴斑片实变影;5例患者行支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)六胺银染色可发现肺孢子菌包囊,另外2例在痰中发现肺孢子菌包囊;痰液及BALF肺孢子菌PCR检测均为阳性。经免疫抑制剂减量、磺胺甲恶唑/甲氧苄啶(SMZ/TMP)治疗、机械通气及支持对症后,5例治愈,1例自愈,1例死亡。结论:肾移植后患者PCP具有较为明显的临床特点,血浆LDH和(1,3)-β-D-葡聚糖等检测有助于早期诊断,痰液或BALF六胺银染色是主要的确诊方法;早期免疫抑制剂减量和SMZ/TMP治疗后患者的预后相对较好。     

Radioaerosol lung clearance in patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis

Pulmonary radioaerosol clearance rate of 99mTc diethylenetriamine pentacetate (DTPA) in 14 patients with untreated sarcoidosis was compared with 67Ga lung scan and increased lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Nine healthy nonsmoking subjects had a mean DTPA clearance rate of 1.18%/min (range, 0.54 to 1.60%/min). Eight of 14 patients with sarcoidosis had clearance rates greater than 1.60%/min. Of those 8 patients with abnormal DTPA clearance, 4 had positive gallium scans, 4 had more than 17% lymphocytes in the BAL fluid, and 3 had both tests positive. To study the cause of abnormal DTPA clearance, 23 subjects (including 3 normal controls, all 14 patients with sarcoidosis, and 6 patients with localized disease on chest roentgenogram) underwent both DTPA clearance studies and BAL for quantitation of the amount of albumin in lung fluid. There was a positive correlation between the rate of DTPA clearance and the albumin concentration in lung fluid (r = 0.87, p less than 0.01).