Low carbon monoxide transfer factor ( TlCO) in HI V-infected patients without lung disease

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It is well recognized that HIV-infected patients who develop P. carinii pneumonia have a reduced carbon monoxide transfer factor (TLCO). We have previously shown that many HIV-infected patients without overt lung disease (i.e. no respiratory symptoms, chest signs and normal chest radiographs and who in addition do not develop lung disease over the next 3 months) have a low cai'bon monoxide transfer factor (7LCO) (1). In this study we asked whether other lung function tests or imaging techniques could further identify this subgroup of asymptomatic HIV-infected patients with reductions in 7LCO. The aim of this study was to investigate this abnormality further.