Cytologic diagnosis of extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in pleural and ascitic fluid. Report of a case in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

We present a case of an extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient undergoing prophylactic treatment with pentamidine. The diagnosis was established in pleural and ascitic fluid, and the patient died before starting specific systemic treatment. We discuss the cytologic differences between pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections and the importance of careful screening for this pathogen in immunosuppressed patients.