A Clinical and Laboratory Study of Pulmonary Infiltrates in a Selected Population of AIDS and ARC patients in Lusaka, Zambia

Thirty two (32) patients with AIDS or ARC who were sputum negative for mycobacteriura tuberculosis and non productive pulmonary infiltrates underwent one of the two diagnostic evaluation. It underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and 15 nebulized saline induced sputum. Three specimens were sent for each patient, making a total of 96 specimens. The specimens were examined for microorganisms. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 8(25%), Pneumo¬cystis carinii in 4(12.5%, Haemophilus influenzae in 3(9.4%), Echinococcus species in 1(3.1%) and unidentified flagellate in 1(3.1). Candida albicans was isolated in 8(25%) , however it was always an accompanying finding with the above pathogens, suggesting a saprophitic role, a contamination or a pathogenic role.The role of nebulized saline induced sputum (N.S.I.S.) and bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are discussed in content of Human immunodeficiency infection related pulmonary infiltrate. Also discussed is the significance of the findings. This study has, while, recognising its limitations found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is main and most important cause of pulmonary infiltrate in AIDS/ARC patients in Lusaka and that Pneumocystis carinii may also be an important pathogen.