Prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in patients presenting with pneumonia at hospitals in Port Elizabeth

Abstract

Pneumocystis jirovecii, an opportunistic fungus, is the causative agent of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) in humans, and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised persons, AIDS-related or patients receiving prolonged corticosteroid or intensive immunosuppressive therapies. PcP also remains a significant cause of mortality where access to ealthcare/antiretroviral therapy is limited and when P. jirovecii has not been diagnosed or prophylaxis not recommended. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in children, young adults and the elderly, and community-acquired pneumonia which often results in hospitalisation due to the severity of the illness. Prevalence of M. pneumoniae infections within healthy populations can vary from between 13.5-34% to 45% in adults with asthma. As delayed treatment of pneumonia increases the risk for mortality, rapid and accurate identification is crucial to the establishment of informed prognosis and facilitation of early appropriate treatment.