Pneumocystis jirovecii is a widespread and possibly fatal fungus that causes opportunistic pneumonia in patients with compromised immunity. PCP is commonly related with AIDS, and it also affects individuals with rheumatologic conditions or cancer. Patients who have undergone transplants are also susceptible to this illness.
Due to the introduction of combination antiretroviral medication and systematic use of chemoprophylaxis for infections, the prevalence of PCP among patients living with HIV has steadily decreased.
Initially, it was believed that PCP was caused by the reactivation of a childhood fungal infection, but recent research indicates that new-onset infections are more prevalent than previously believed. Immunocompromised patients must receive proper and effective chemoprophylaxis for a good outcome.
Epidemiology
As this illness is common worldwide, antibodies against it are common in immunocompetent children. Antibodies for pneumocystis jirovecii can be found in over 80% of children under the age of 4.
During the epidemic caused by HIV, up to 60% of AIDS patients are plagued by this illness. The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy has dramatically decreased the prevalence of this condition among HIV patients.
Consequently, the introduction of novel immunosuppressive therapies for rheumatologic disorders and cancers, and the rise in the number of transplant patients, have made this part of the population the largest subgroup affected by pneumocystis jirovecii.
Anatomy
Pathophysiology
Upon attaching to type 1 alveolar cells, Pneumocystis jirovecii promotes chemokines, cytokines, and cellular infiltration to remove the infection in the lungs. This leads to a mild inflammatory response and minimal lung injury in immunocompetent hosts.
Individuals with a weakened immune response due to insufficiencies in particular immune system components can generate hyperinflammatory reactions that cause direct lung damage.
Etiology
Because antibodies against PCP were detected in children, it was formerly considered that PCP was caused by the reactivation of a latent infection. Contrarily, the genotypic research has revealed that primary infection is more prevalent than previously believed.
The illness is spread through patients with good immunities, who are asymptomatic carriers. While both mechanisms of PCP development appear to be ubiquitous, the latter is significantly more prevalent, especially in immunocompromised patients following a transplant.
Genetics
Prognostic Factors
Pneumocystis jirovecii can lead to a fatal outcome or severe complications for patients with weakened immunities. When patients are treated adequately, the rate of infection is very low.
AIDS-related complications are now less likely to occur among HIV positive patients because of combination antiretroviral therapy.
Clinical History
Physical Examination
Age group
Associated comorbidity
Associated activity
Acuity of presentation
Differential Diagnoses
Laboratory Studies
Imaging Studies
Procedures
Histologic Findings
Staging
Treatment Paradigm
by Stage
by Modality
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Surgical Interventions
Hormone Therapy
Immunotherapy
Hyperthermia
Photodynamic Therapy
Stem Cell Transplant
Targeted Therapy
Palliative Care
Medication
Future Trends
Media Gallary
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560530/
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Pneumocystis jirovecii is a widespread and possibly fatal fungus that causes opportunistic pneumonia in patients with compromised immunity. PCP is commonly related with AIDS, and it also affects individuals with rheumatologic conditions or cancer. Patients who have undergone transplants are also susceptible to this illness.
Due to the introduction of combination antiretroviral medication and systematic use of chemoprophylaxis for infections, the prevalence of PCP among patients living with HIV has steadily decreased.
Initially, it was believed that PCP was caused by the reactivation of a childhood fungal infection, but recent research indicates that new-onset infections are more prevalent than previously believed. Immunocompromised patients must receive proper and effective chemoprophylaxis for a good outcome.
As this illness is common worldwide, antibodies against it are common in immunocompetent children. Antibodies for pneumocystis jirovecii can be found in over 80% of children under the age of 4.
During the epidemic caused by HIV, up to 60% of AIDS patients are plagued by this illness. The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy has dramatically decreased the prevalence of this condition among HIV patients.
Consequently, the introduction of novel immunosuppressive therapies for rheumatologic disorders and cancers, and the rise in the number of transplant patients, have made this part of the population the largest subgroup affected by pneumocystis jirovecii.
Upon attaching to type 1 alveolar cells, Pneumocystis jirovecii promotes chemokines, cytokines, and cellular infiltration to remove the infection in the lungs. This leads to a mild inflammatory response and minimal lung injury in immunocompetent hosts.
Individuals with a weakened immune response due to insufficiencies in particular immune system components can generate hyperinflammatory reactions that cause direct lung damage.
Because antibodies against PCP were detected in children, it was formerly considered that PCP was caused by the reactivation of a latent infection. Contrarily, the genotypic research has revealed that primary infection is more prevalent than previously believed.
The illness is spread through patients with good immunities, who are asymptomatic carriers. While both mechanisms of PCP development appear to be ubiquitous, the latter is significantly more prevalent, especially in immunocompromised patients following a transplant.
Pneumocystis jirovecii can lead to a fatal outcome or severe complications for patients with weakened immunities. When patients are treated adequately, the rate of infection is very low.
AIDS-related complications are now less likely to occur among HIV positive patients because of combination antiretroviral therapy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560530/
medtigo
Pneumocystis jirovecii
Updated :
July 5, 2022
Pneumocystis jirovecii is a widespread and possibly fatal fungus that causes opportunistic pneumonia in patients with compromised immunity. PCP is commonly related with AIDS, and it also affects individuals with rheumatologic conditions or cancer. Patients who have undergone transplants are also susceptible to this illness.
Due to the introduction of combination antiretroviral medication and systematic use of chemoprophylaxis for infections, the prevalence of PCP among patients living with HIV has steadily decreased.
Initially, it was believed that PCP was caused by the reactivation of a childhood fungal infection, but recent research indicates that new-onset infections are more prevalent than previously believed. Immunocompromised patients must receive proper and effective chemoprophylaxis for a good outcome.
As this illness is common worldwide, antibodies against it are common in immunocompetent children. Antibodies for pneumocystis jirovecii can be found in over 80% of children under the age of 4.
During the epidemic caused by HIV, up to 60% of AIDS patients are plagued by this illness. The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy has dramatically decreased the prevalence of this condition among HIV patients.
Consequently, the introduction of novel immunosuppressive therapies for rheumatologic disorders and cancers, and the rise in the number of transplant patients, have made this part of the population the largest subgroup affected by pneumocystis jirovecii.
Upon attaching to type 1 alveolar cells, Pneumocystis jirovecii promotes chemokines, cytokines, and cellular infiltration to remove the infection in the lungs. This leads to a mild inflammatory response and minimal lung injury in immunocompetent hosts.
Individuals with a weakened immune response due to insufficiencies in particular immune system components can generate hyperinflammatory reactions that cause direct lung damage.
Because antibodies against PCP were detected in children, it was formerly considered that PCP was caused by the reactivation of a latent infection. Contrarily, the genotypic research has revealed that primary infection is more prevalent than previously believed.
The illness is spread through patients with good immunities, who are asymptomatic carriers. While both mechanisms of PCP development appear to be ubiquitous, the latter is significantly more prevalent, especially in immunocompromised patients following a transplant.
Pneumocystis jirovecii can lead to a fatal outcome or severe complications for patients with weakened immunities. When patients are treated adequately, the rate of infection is very low.
AIDS-related complications are now less likely to occur among HIV positive patients because of combination antiretroviral therapy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560530/
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