Coexistent sarcoidosis and HIV infection. A comparison of bronchoalveolar and peripheral blood lymphocytes.

A case of pulmonary sarcoidosis diagnosed in an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected man is reported. The transbronchial lung biopsy specimen revealed noncaseating granuloma. A comparison of the lymphocyte subsets in both peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed a pattern more typical of HIV infection than of classic sarcoidosis. A course of prednisone led to improvement in symptoms, roentgenographic findings, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity.