Otic and ophthalmic pneumocystosis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Abstract

A case of primary Pneumocystis carinii infection involving the left middle ear of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is described, and the literature on the otic and ophthalmic pneumocystosis is reviewed. Otic pneumocystosis typically presents as a unilateral polypoid mass, and it is clinically manifested as otalgia, hearing loss, or, sometimes, otorrhea without evidence of current respiratory disease or previous Pneumocystis pneumonia. In contrast, choroidal pneumocystosis usually occurs in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with at least one previous episode of Pneumocystis pneumonia and aerosolized pentamidine treatment, it is usually asymptomatic and bilateral, and it may be discovered only because of other concurrent human immunodeficiency virus-related ophthalmic disease. The diagnosis is made clinically, and intravenous antiparasite treatment is successful.