The American review of respiratory disease
-
Two patients with renal transplants were admitted for evaluation of fever. During the course of hospitalization both had hectic fever and arthralgia. Pulmonary symptoms were absent or minimal. ⋯ Therapy with pentamidine isethionate was successful. It is suggested that in patients with renal transplants and in others with similar immonosuppression, even with a normal chest roentgenogram, Pneumocystis carinii infection be considered as the cause of a fever of unknown origin. This should be evaluated initially with blood gas studies; if these are abnormal, further studies, including biopsy, are justified.