Pneumocystosis
Pneumocystosis | |
---|---|
Other names | Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Infectious diseases[1] |
Symptoms | |
Complications |
|
Types |
|
Causes | |
Prevention | Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) in high risk groups[7] |
Medication | Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole)[4] |
Frequency | Uncommon,[4] 97% in lungs[7] |
Pneumocystosis is a
It is caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, a fungus which is usually breathed in and found in the lungs of healthy people without causing disease, until the person's immune system becomes weakened.[7]
Diagnosis is by identifying the organism from a sample of fluid from affected lungs or a biopsy.[3][4] Prevention in high risk people, and treatment in those affected is usually with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole).[4][8]
The prevalence is unknown.
Signs and symptoms
Pneumocystosis is generally an infection in the lungs.
Lungs
When the lungs are affected there is usually a dry
Eyes
Pneumocystosis in eyes may appear as a single or multiple (up to 50) yellow-white plaques in the eye's choroid layer or just beneath the retina.[12] Vision is usually not affected and it is typically found by chance.[12]
Skin
If occurring in the skin, pneumocystosis most often presents as
Cause
Pneumocystosis is caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, a fungus which is generally found in the lungs of healthy people, without causing disease until the person's immune system becomes weakened.[7]
Risk factors
Pneumocystosis occurs predominantly in people with HIV/AIDS.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia is by identifying the organism from a sample of
Diagnosis in the eye involves
Differential diagnosis
Pneumocystosis may appear similar to
Prevention
There is no vaccine that prevents pneumocystosis.[8] Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) might be prescribed for people at high risk.[8]
Treatment
Treatment is usually with co-trimoxazole.[4][8] Other options include pentamidine, dapsone and atovaquone.[2]
Outcomes
It is fatal in 10-20% of people with HIV/AIDS.[3] Pneumocystosis in people without HIV/AIDS is frequently diagnosed late and the death rate is therefore higher; 30-50%.[3]
Epidemiology
The exact number of people in the world affected is not known.[7] Pneumocystosis affects lungs in around 97% of cases and is often fatal without treatment.[7]
History
The first cases of pneumocystosis affecting lungs were described in premature infants in Europe following the
Pneumocystis jirovecii (previously called Pneumocystis carinii) is named for Otto Jírovec, who first described it in 1952.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "ICD-11 - ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics". icd.who.int. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-323-61138-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Pneumocystosis | DermNet NZ". dermnetnz.org. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Orphanet: Pneumocystosis". www.orpha.net. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7817-7596-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7020-6983-3.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "CDC - DPDx - Pneumocystis". www.cdc.gov. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Pneumocystis pneumonia | Fungal Diseases | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ PMID 20736243.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-323-50869-8.
- ISBN 978-1-4614-4671-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-3-319-09125-9.
- ISBN 978-1-59745-325-7.