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Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Jiroveci

Thomas J. Hansen, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Pneumocystis jiroveci causes pneumonia primarily in immunocompromised patients.

  • The fungus that causes this pneumonia in humans was previously called Pneumocystis carinii.

  • The name was...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • HIV-infected patients

    • Subacute onset over several weeks

      • Progressively worsening dyspnea

      • Tachypnea

      • Cough: nonproductive or productive of clear sputum

      • Low-grade fever, chills

      • Weakness, fatigu...

TREATMENT

The recommended duration of therapy differs in patients who are with/without AIDS: 
  • In patients with PCP who do not have AIDS, the typical duration of therapy is 14 days.

  • Treatment of PCP in p...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

In patients with HIV/AIDS: Patients with previous episodes of PCP should receive lifelong secondary prophylaxis unless they respond well to highly active antiretr...

REFERENCES

1
Krajicek  BJ, Thomas  CFJr, Limper  AH. Pneumocystis pneumonia: current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Clin Chest Med....

ADDITIONAL READING

Green  H, Paul  M, Vidal  L, et al. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in non-HIV immunocompromised patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.  2007;(...

SEE ALSO

HIV/AIDS 

CODES

ICD10

B59 Pneumocystosis 

SNOMED

  • 415125002 Pneumocystosis jiroveci pneumonia (disorder)

  • 420403001 Pneumocystosis associated with AIDS

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Colonization with P. jiroveci is common in the pediatric population.

  • PCP only occurs in immunocompromised patients.

  • Patients with HIV are at risk once their CD4 count is <200 cells/μL...

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