Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays For Diagnosis of Pneumocystis Carinii Infections
Abstract
The use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPC ) for assessing PCP infection and its response to treatment was studied in rats. Groups of 8 rats were immunosuppressed with steroids for 3-12 weeks. Controls were maintained untreated for the same periods. Three groups of rats were treated with pentamadine, and three additional groups with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole while immunosuppressed. Three groups of rats were tapered from steroids. At various times during suppression the rats were sacrificed. At necropsy the lungs were lavaged and the BAL fluid assayed by cyst counting and QPCR using ribosomal DNA to quantitate PCP load in using a rat globin internal standard. Lung homogenates were similarly assayed. An increase in the QPCR signal was seen throughout immunosuppression, followed by a slow decrease upon withdrawal of steroids or a faster decrease with drug treatment. Results from QPCR of lung and BAL fluid were strongly correlated with each other and with cyst counts. 'Results warrant investigation of QPCR for assessing treatment results in human Pcp infection.... Pneumocystis carinii, Polymerase chain reaction diagnosis, HIV, Diagnostic assay.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 25, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA264059
Entities
People
- Timothy J. O'leary
Organizations
- Armed Forces Institute of Pathology