OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of the association of Trichomonas and Pneumocystis in the lung. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-six bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from immunocompromised patients with pneumocystosis were retrospectively examined microscopically. RESULTS: Trichomonads were found as coinfecting agents in 60% of BALF samples. The frequency and abundance of trichomonads was increased, up to 100%, in cases rich in Pneumocystis. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that pulmonary Trichomonas infection occurs frequently in the course of Pneumocystis pneumonia. The role of trichomonads in causing alveolar damage during Pneumocystis pneumonia is hypothetical.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of the association of Trichomonas and Pneumocystis in the lung. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-six bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from immunocompromised patients with pneumocystosis were retrospectively examined microscopically. RESULTS: Trichomonads were found as coinfecting agents in 60% of BALF samples. The frequency and abundance of trichomonads was increased, up to 100%, in cases rich in Pneumocystis. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that pulmonary Trichomonas infection occurs frequently in the course of Pneumocystis pneumonia. The role of trichomonads in causing alveolar damage during Pneumocystis pneumonia is hypothetical.