Detection of pneumocystis DNA in nasopharyngeal aspirates of leukaemic infants with pneumonia.

The technique of polymerase chain reaction was used to detect Pneumocystis carinii DNA in nasopharyngeal secretions of three infants with leukaemia who had the clinical features of P carinii pneumonia. The use of this non-invasive technique allowed the early diagnosis and treatment of these infants whose protocols did not include the use of prophylactic co-trimoxazole.