The use of bronchoalveolar lavage in diagnosis of pulmonary complications in immunocompromised HIV negative patients

In 151 immunocompromised HIV negative patients with pulmonary complications we performed over 5 years flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and subsequent examination of bronchoalveolar fluid (BAF) to the determination of the etiology of pulmonary disease. In 49 (32.5%) patients non-infectious lung complication was suspected judging from this BAF examination. The presence of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in BAF was confirmed in 83 (55%) patients. Legionella pneumophilla was only cultured in one (0.7%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from BAF of 2 (1.3%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum in one (0.7%) patient. Fungal microorganisms were found in BAF of 43 (28.5%) and viruses in 22 (14.6%). Pneumocystis carinii was found in BAF in 22 (14.6%) patients.