Pneumocystis Pneumonia
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Basics
Description
- Originally called Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, then renamed Pneumocystis jirovecii but still referred to as PCP
- Most common opportunistic infection in patients with HIV, even with PCP prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy
- Believed to be transmitted by respiratory-aerosol route:
- Cysts colonize respiratory tract
- Cysts rupture and multiple trophozoites release and form foamy exudate in alveoli
- Most cases are believed to represent reactivation of latent disease, although person-to-person transmission suggested
- Actual mode of transmission is unclear
Etiology
- Pneumocystis is classified as a fungus
- Pneumocystis occurs in hosts with altered cellular immunity:
- HIV infection (most common, especially when CD4 count <200 cells/mm3)
- Cancer
- Corticosteroid treatment
- Organ transplantation
- Malnutrition
Pediatric Considerations
PCP in children is typically more severe
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Basics
Description
- Originally called Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, then renamed Pneumocystis jirovecii but still referred to as PCP
- Most common opportunistic infection in patients with HIV, even with PCP prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy
- Believed to be transmitted by respiratory-aerosol route:
- Cysts colonize respiratory tract
- Cysts rupture and multiple trophozoites release and form foamy exudate in alveoli
- Most cases are believed to represent reactivation of latent disease, although person-to-person transmission suggested
- Actual mode of transmission is unclear
Etiology
- Pneumocystis is classified as a fungus
- Pneumocystis occurs in hosts with altered cellular immunity:
- HIV infection (most common, especially when CD4 count <200 cells/mm3)
- Cancer
- Corticosteroid treatment
- Organ transplantation
- Malnutrition
Pediatric Considerations
PCP in children is typically more severe
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