Pneumocystis pneumonia

Pneumocystis pneumonia
Other namesPneumocystis pneumonia; Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia; Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia; Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia [outdated term]; pneumocystosis;[1] pneumocystiasis;[1] interstitial plasma cell pneumonia;[1] plasma cell pneumonia
Pneumocystis jirovecii cysts from bronchoalveolar lavage, stained with Toluidine blue O stain
SpecialtyInfectious disease, Pulmonology
CausesPneumocystis jirovecii[2]
Risk factorsWeakened immune system[2]
Differential diagnosisOther types of pneumonia
Medicationco-trimoxazole,[2] steroids, pentamidine, trimetrexate, dapsone, atovaquone, primaquine, pafuramidine maleate and clindamycin.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), also known as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), is a form of pneumonia that is caused by the yeast-like fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii.[3][4]

Pneumocystis specimens are commonly found in the lungs of healthy people although it is usually not a cause for disease.[5] However, they are a source of opportunistic infection and can cause lung infections in people with a weak immune system or other predisposing health conditions. PCP is seen in people with HIV/AIDS (who account for 30-40% of PCP cases), those using medications that suppress the immune system, and people with cancer, autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, and chronic lung disease.[2]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Dorlands was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d "Pneumocystis pneumonia | Fungal Diseases | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  3. ^ Aliouat-Denis CM, Chabé M, Demanche C, Aliouat EM, Viscogliosi E, Guillot J, et al. (September 2008). "Pneumocystis species, co-evolution and pathogenic power". Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 8 (5): 708–726. doi:10.1016/j.meegid.2008.05.001. PMID 18565802.
  4. ^ Bennett NJ, Gilroy SA (2017-08-08). "Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia (PJP) Overview of Pneumocystis jiroveci Pneumonia". Medscape.
  5. ^ Ponce CA, Gallo M, Bustamante R, Vargas SL (February 2010). "Pneumocystis colonization is highly prevalent in the autopsied lungs of the general population". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 50 (3): 347–353. doi:10.1086/649868. PMID 20047487. S2CID 13097433.