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Pneumocystis carinii is a common organism that may reside harmlessly in normal lungs. It generally causes pneumonia only when the body's defenses are weakened because of cancer, cancer treatment, or AIDS. Often, it is the first indication that a person with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has developed AIDS.
Most people develop a fever, shortness of breath, and a dry cough. These symptoms usually arise over several weeks. The lungs may not be able to deliver sufficient oxygen to the blood, leading to severe shortness of breath.
Pneumocystis carinii, now considered a fungus rather than a protozoan, causes disease only when defenses are compromised, most commonly when there are defects in cell-mediated immunity as in hematologic malignancies, lymphoproliferative diseases, cancer chemotherapy, and AIDS. About 30% of patients with HIV infection have P. carinii pneumonia as the initial AIDS-defining diagnosis, and > 80% of AIDS patients have this infection at some time if prophylaxis is not given
X-rays show either no abnormality or patchy infection, similar to what is seen in some viral infections. The diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of a sputum specimen obtained by one of two techniques—sputum induction (in which a vapor is used to stimulate coughing) or bronchoscopy (in which an instrument is inserted into the airways to collect a specimen (see Symptoms and Diagnosis of Lung Disorders: Bronchoscopy).
The combination antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can be used to help prevent pneumocystis pneumonia in people at risk. This drug's side effects, which are particularly common in people who have AIDS, include rashes, a reduced number of infection-fighting white blood cells, and fever. Alternative preventive drug treatments are dapsone, atovaquone, and pentamidine (which can be taken as an aerosol, inhaled directly into the lungs).
If you get Pneumocystis pneumonia, you probably will have fever, cough, trouble breathing (especially with exercise) or chest tightness. See your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. Most cases are mild, but people with severe Pneumocystis pneumonia may die if the infection isn't treated quickly. Pneumocystis pneumonia is diagnosed by lab tests of fluid or tissue from your lungs
It is relatively rare in people with normal immune systems but common among people with AIDS. Pneumocystis pneumonia can also develop in patients who are taking immunosuppressant medications (e.g., patients who have undergone solid organ transplantion) and in patients who have undergone bone marrow transplantation
In children who are already seriously ill, symptoms of this form of pneumocystis pneumonia begin suddenly with a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing.
Pneumocystis pneumonia is the most common pediatric illness associated with AIDS, especially in infants younger than 6 months, and its prevention is very important in AIDS care. Infants who are weak or sick also can develop pneumocystis pneumonia. Usually the infant is 3 to 6 months old and has no fever, but gradually begins to breathe faster than normal. As the lung infection gets worse, breathing becomes more difficult, and the baby's chest muscles may begin to retract (pull in abnormally) with each breath. The child's lips, fingernails, and skin also may turn blue or gray.
Pneumocystis Pneumonia Causes
Pneumocystis Pneumonia Symptoms
Pneumocystis Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment
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