RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Presence of Pneumocystis jiroveci colonization in patients with COPD JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p3018 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Marijke Vanspauwen A1 Frits Franssen A1 Cathrien Bruggeman A1 Emiel Wouters A1 Catharina Linssen YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3018.abstract AB Introduction: Pneumocystis jiroveci infections are frequently detected in immunocompromised patients. However, evidence suggests that P. jiroveci can be detected in non-immunocompromised patients, where it colonizes the airways. Over the past years, P. jiroveci has been linked with COPD. P. jiroveci colonization may be associated with the severity of COPD and some evidence suggests a role for P. jiroveci in the progression of COPD in smokers. The present study investigates the presence of P. jiroveci in sputum samples of patients with COPD.Material and methods: From March 2009 until September 2010, sputum samples from COPD patients clinically rehabilitating at the centre of expertise for chronic organ failure (CIRO) were included. Patients were followed during an 8 week period and sputum samples were collected during the stable state and during an acute exacerbation (AE). Sputum samples were analyzed for the presence of P. jiroveci by a real-time PCR assay.Results: During the study period 509 sputum samples (218 patients) were collected clinically rehabilitating at CIRO Horn. A total of 184 samples (36%) were collected during the stable phase and 325 (63.8%) during an AE. P. jiroveci DNA was detected in 40 (8%) of all sputum samples. A total of 23 positive samples (57.5%) were detected during an AE and 17 during the stable state (42.5%).Conclusion:In our population, P. jiroveci colonization could be detected in 8% of the sputum samples of COPD patients. Additional research is needed to clarify the role of P. jiroveci in the pathophysioloy of COPD.