Acute hepatic and renal failure caused by Pneumocystis carinii in patients with AIDS

Clinical and pathological findings are described in two AIDS patients with Pneumocystis carinii inmfection who received prophylactic treatment with nebulised pentamidine and developed unusual hepatic and renal failure. Histological examination showed clumps of P carinii massively obstructing hepatic sinuses and portal vessels in the first patient, and merular and intertubular capillaries in the second. These findings could explain the unusual clinical features, characterised by acute hepatic and renal failure.