Objective Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is the most common and serious of the
pulmonary complications of AIDS. Despite this, many basic aspects in the pathogenesis of
HIV-associated P carinii pneumonia are unknown. We therefore undertook a light and
electron microscopic study of transbronchial biopsy specimens to compare pathologic
features of P carinii pneumonia and other HIV-related lung diseases. Design and patients
Thirty-seven consecutive HIV-infected patients undergoing a diagnostic bronchoscopy …