| Induced sputum is a useful technique for assessing airway inflammation, but its role in the diagnosis of lung disease in immunosuppressed patients needs further investigation. This study compared the use of induced sputum and BAL in the diagnosis of pneumocystosis, in HIV patients. From January 1, 2001, to December 30, 2002, HIV-positive patients older than 14 were evaluated at a hospital in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Patients with respiratory symptoms for seven days or longer, with a normal or abnormal chest X-ray, and those without respiratory symptoms but with an abnormal chest X-ray, were included in the study. All patients were submitted to clinical, radiological and laboratory evaluation, after which induced sputum and bronchoscopy with... |
