Development of an RT-PCR on the heat shock protein 70 gene for viability detection of Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis in patients with pneumocystosis and in air sample.

To test the viability of Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis, an RT-PCR assay that employs specific primers from the Heat Shock Protein 70 gene was developed. Using this method, the viability of P.c. hominis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from patients developing PCP and in the environment of PCP patients was established.