Biological profile and response to anti-pneumocystis agents of Pneumocystis carinii in cell culture

Abstract

Although the growth characteristics of Pneumocystis carinii have been described in several cell culture systems, the response of this organism to the drugs of choice, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pentamidine isethionate, have not been described in vitro. The effect of various concentrations of drugs against P. carinii on the growth of this potentially hazardous opportunistic organism as well as the methodology for in vitro assay of these agents have been detailed. Fluorescence profiles illustrating size ranges of trophozoites and cysts derived from cell culture are described.