Detecting of pneumocystis jirovecii in respiratory system samples

SUMMARYP.jirovecii is an important oppurtunistic pneumonia agent in immunsupressed patients. The aim of this study was to investigate Pneumocystis jirovecii isolated from clinical specimens in the Laboratories of Karadeniz Technical University Hospital between May 2011 January 2012. In this study, presence of Pneumocystis jirovecii was investigated in immunocompromised patients who were presenting with the clinical symptoms of atypical pneumonia, Giemsa stain, indirect fluorescent antibody (İFA) test and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPZR) methods. 35 patients were included in the study. Three of the sample (%8.6) were found to be positive by the nPZR, four of them (%11) were found to be positive by İFA method. Samples were stained Giemsa staining methods and examined microscopically. All samples remain negative for fungus including Pneumocystis jirovecii.As a result, for the appropriate treatment and prophylaxis of P.jirovecii infections, İFA and PCR rapid and reliable diagnostic test should be used for diagnosis.Key words: Pneumocystis jirovecii; diagnosis method; Giemsa stain, PCR, İFA