Simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax complicating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a homeless man with AIDS]

Although pneumothorax is a well-known complication of AIDS related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax has not been reported in Japan. A 54-year-old homeless man was admitted with emaciation and dyspnea. Chest X-ray showed diffuse ground glass opacity. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated ground glass opacity and cyst-like lesions in both upper lobes of the lung. The patient was HIV positive. Grocott's stain of a bronchial lavage specimen demonstrated Pneumocystis carinii microorganisms. Intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazol and steroid administration was started. Seven days later, the patient developed tension pneumothorax of the right lung. Immediately after the thoracostomy, contralateral pneumothorax developed. Another chest tube was inserted. Subsequently, the patient died from bilateral pneumothorax. The endemicity of HIV infections among the homeless population is already a significant problem in Western countries. We should be aware that HIV infection may become a problem among the Japanese homeless as well.