The acquired immune deficiency syndrome: problems associated with the management of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Four fatal and two non-fatal cases of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii and one case of co-trimoxazole-responsive interstitial pneumonia, all in homosexual patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome, are described. The lack of clinical signs in the chest and of abnormal radiological findings at presentation in three of the six patients with P. carinii infection, the rapidly progressive course of the disease, as well as the need for early diagnosis and treatment are stressed. The possibility of chemoprophylaxis against P. carinii is discussed.