Identification of Phagocytosed Pneumocystis Carinii In Human Pulmonary Alveolar Macrophages |
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Authors: | K WEHLE T KÜPPER S MARZAHN P PFITZER |
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Abstract: | Examination of Papanicolaou-stained bronchoalveolar lavage samples from cases with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis under ultra-violet light reveals alveolar macrophages packed with fluorescent inclusions. Immunoenzymatic staining of the alveolar macrophages with a monoclonal antibody specific for P. carinii (3F6) showed that these inclusions contain intact pneumocysts or their degradation products. Fluorescence microscopy of Papanicolaou-stained smears is advocated as a sensitive and specific method of diagnosing P. carinii infection. |
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Keywords: | Pneumocystis carinii pulmonary alveolar macrophages phagocytosis monoclonal antibodies 3F6 |
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