Identification of Pneumocystis carinii DNA in oropharyngeal mouth washes from AIDS children dying of respiratory illnesses

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Pneumocystis carinii-specific primers pAZ 102-H(5'-GTGTACGTTGCAAAGTACTC-3') and pAZ 102-E(5'-GATGGCTGTTTCCAAGCCCA-3') was performed on oropharyngeal washes obtained at autopsy from 22 AIDS children with histologically confirmed P. carinii pneumonia (PCP), and 48 control AIDS children who died from other infections. Fifteen of 22 (68%) PCP samples and none of 48 (0%) control samples had detectable P. carinii DNA (sensitivity 68%; specificity 100%; positive predictive value 100%; negative predictive value 87%). This method requires further validation in clinical practice.