[Trichomonas tenax in pulmonary and pleural diseases].

INTRODUCTION: Trichomonas is a protozoan rarely incriminated in pulmonary or pleural disorders. CASE: An 84-year-old man, under treatment for chronic lymphoid leukemia with hypogammaglobulinemia, was hospitalized for respiratory distress and fever due to bilateral pulmonary and pleural disorders. Direct examination of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed a flagella protozoan identified as Trichomonas tenax. DISCUSSION: Although Trichomonas is rare in pulmonary disorders, when it occurs, T. tenax appears to be the most common species. Treatment with metronidazole was effective.