Carinii Pneumonia In Patients Research Articles

Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of Prophylaxis and Treatment of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Patients with Renal Dysfunction After Renal Transplantation.

BackgroundPneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe lung infections after renal transplantation. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) has been recognized as a first-line treatment for chemoprophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). This study aimed to establish a personalized chemoprophylaxis prescription specifically for those recipients with renal insufficiency.Material/MethodsThis retrospective study included 68 patients with confirmed PCP after renal transplantation. Patients were divided into 2 groups: an abnormal renal function (ARF) group (creatinine ≥1.5 ng/dl; n=37) and a normal renal function (NRF) group (creatinine <1.5 ng/dl; n=31). Clinical characteristics and prognosis of PCP in both groups were compared and analyzed.ResultsPatients in the ARF group had more prophylaxis after transplantation (15 [40.5%] vs. 2 [6.5%], p=0.047), had more biopsy-proven rejections (10 [27%] vs. 1 [3.2%], p=0.008), and had lower lymphocyte counts (0.6 [05–0.9] vs. 1.1 [0.7–1.6], p<0.01). Renal function after treatment was obviously improved in the ARF group, which had a significant decrease rate in creatinine (−13.2% [−22~4.8%] vs. −4.4% [−12.6~20.9%], p=0.043).ConclusionsPCP prophylaxis regimens for recipients after renal transplantation are still needed regardless of whether the renal functions were normal or abnormal, especially for recipients with persistent lymphopenia or rejection after transplantation.

Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Pneumocystis spp. are thought to be ubiquitous in nature with serologic studies suggesting that exposure occurs commonly in childhood (2). Symptomatic Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is generally limited to individuals with immune deficits. Animal models demonstrate both de novo infection via airborne transmission and by reactivation of previously established latent infections (3). Clusters of infection have been described in medical facilities among renal transplant recipients (4–6). Based on studies before routine implementation of prophylaxis, the overall incidence of infection among solid organ transplant recipients varied mostly in the range of 5–15% depending on organ type, transplant center and immunosuppressive regimens (7). In older reports before implementation of extensive prophylaxis, the attack rate appeared highest in lung and combined heart–lung transplant recipients with an overall incidence ranging from less than 10% to just over 40%. Among liver and kidney transplant recipients, the incidence appeared to be less at anywhere from close to 2% to 10–15% (1). The incidence overall may be decreasing with reduction in the routine use of corticosteroids in organ transplantation and the adoption of effective prophylactic measures. Table 1 outlines some risk factors for PCP among non-HIV-infected individuals.

Development of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with immunobullous and connective tissue disease receiving immunosuppressive medications

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) causes morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Data describing use of PCP prophylaxis in immunosuppressed dermatologic patients are lacking. We sought to describe the frequency of PCP among dermatologic patients receiving immunosuppression for immunobullous disease or connective tissue disease. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of patients with immunobullous and connective tissue disease at our department of dermatology between 1980 and 2006 who received immunosuppression and had subsequent development of pneumonia. We recorded patient characteristics, use of PCP prophylaxis, whether PCP developed, and if so, their morbidity and mortality. Of 334 patients identified, 7 (2.1%) were given the diagnosis of PCP during immunosuppressive treatment. Of these 7 patients, 3 (43%) died within 1 month of diagnosis, and none received PCP prophylaxis. Retrospective study design and limited patient group are limitations. PCP prophylaxis may improve outcomes for some patients with immunobullous or connective tissue disease receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

S-Adenosylmethionine Levels in the Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Patients with HIV Infection

S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) is a key molecule involved in methylation reactions and polyamine synthesis. Pneumocystis carinii are unable to synthesize this molecule and have been shown to scavenge this metabolic intermediate from the plasma of rats during active infection. A prior study involving humans strongly suggested that low levels of plasma AdoMet are sensitive and specific indicators of acute infection. From March 2004 through January 2006, we collected plasma AdoMet levels from patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and either confirmed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis, or confirmed bacterial pneumonia. We compared levels in patients with PCP with those in patients with other diseases and also monitored changes in levels during treatment of PCP. Initial AdoMet levels were significantly lower in patients with PCP, and there was no overlap between the groups. Among patients with PCP, levels of AdoMet increased with successful treatment. Measurement of plasma AdoMet levels in patients with HIV infection who have pulmonary infections can identify those with PCP.

Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Patients With Connective Tissue Disease

Although the association of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) with connective tissue disease (CTD) has been noted for a long time, there are few series reported. The objective of this study was to describe clinical features and prognosis of PCP infections in patients with CTD in China. We retrospectively reviewed the characteristics, clinical features, and prognosis of PCP in patients with CTD in a single hospital. A total of 7 cases were reviewed (systemic lupus erythematosus n = 2, microscopic polyangiitis n = 2, dermatomyositis n = 2, polymyositis n = 1). Eighty-six percent of patients developed PCP within 3 months of the diagnosis of CTD. All patients were receiving daily glucocorticoid therapy and cytotoxic drugs before the diagnosis of PCP. Most patients had fever, progressive dyspnea, and dry cough at onset of PCP. The mean duration of symptoms before PCP diagnosis was 7 days. Absolute lymphocyte counts ranged from 126 to 528/microL. The CD4 lymphocyte counts of all patients were 87 +/- 78/microL. One patient was diagnosed by induced sputum; 6 patients were diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Complicating fungal infection was found in 4 of 7 patients at the time of diagnosis of PCP. All patients were treated by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and corticosteroids. Six (86%) patients died. The mean duration of the time from diagnosis to death was 14 +/- 4 days. Our results suggest that PCP is an uncommon and fatal opportunistic infection in patients with CTD. When patients with CTD who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy have low lymphocyte counts and/or CD4 lymphocyte counts less than 250/microL develop fever, dry cough, dyspnea, and chest radiography shows diffuse interstitial infiltrate, the diagnosis of PCP should be highly suspected. Induced sputum or BAL must be quickly performed to confirm diagnosis. Further study is needed as to whether earlier treatment will improve prognoses or whether patients with CTD with low CD4 counts should receive PCP prophylaxis.

Sputum induction - A useful tool in diagnosis of respiratory diseases

Sputum induction by inhalation of hypertonic saline is a noninvasive, simple, cost effective and safe procedure to collect respiratory secre-tions from lung airways for diagnosis of various respiratory diseases. Sputum induction has higher yield in comparison to spontaneous sputum, BAL, bronchial washing and gastric lavage. It is widely used to assess airway inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can be used as a complementary tool to BAL both in research and in clinical monitoring of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). The cells, recovered from spontaneous coughing can be used to study lung cancer, respiratory infections and in diagnosis of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. In developing countries having high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum induction (SI) can increase the diagnostic yield, resulting in better categorization of patients for treatment purposes. It increases case detection rate of smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis specially in area where facili-ties for more invasive and expensive techniques are not available.

Induced sputum in occupational lung diseases

Summary Induced sputum is a particularly promising procedure, since it provides specific information on both the cellular and molecular constituents in inflammation. In the period 1950–1970, sputum cells were examined on stained smears in both research and clinical settings. After their recovery by spontaneous coughing, the cells were used to study lung cancer and respiratory infections, and, later on, to diagnose Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients infected with HIV. The method was widely improved upon by the induction of sputum with aerosol of hypertonic saline, and then extended to become part of the assessment of airway inflammation in bronchial asthma and COPD. However, less attention was given to the use of induced sputum in occupational exposures. This review analyses the value of induced sputum and presents its applications in pulmonary occupational and environmental medicine.

Clinical characteristics of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with connective tissue diseases

The characteristics of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) were examined retrospectively. Nine patients were enrolled in this study. Their mean age was 57.1 years. All the patients received a high-dose steroid or immunosuppressant. The onset (mean 6.6 days) of fever, cough, breathlessness, and geographical ground-glass opacities revealed by chest computed tomography was acute. The serum beta-D: -glucan level increased with a simultaneous increase in the Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6 or surfactant protein D level. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and albumin levels and the peripheral blood lymphocyte count at the onset of PCP were low, but only the serum IgG level decreased significantly. The patients were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine isetionate. Six patients died eventually: two patients of progressive respiratory failure, two probably due to a recurrence of the PCP, and two with microbial respiratory infections other than PCP. Five of the six patients required mechanical ventilation. Three patients received secondary prophylaxis and survived. In conclusion, the acute onset was characteristic of PCP in patients with CTDs. High-dose steroids, immunosuppressants, and hypogammaglobulinemia are risk factors; and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, severe secondary infections, and a lack of secondary prophylaxis are poor prognostic factors. Secondary prophylaxis is recommended for all of these patients.

Clinical characteristics of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with connective tissue diseases

The characteristics of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) were examined retrospectively. Nine patients were enrolled in this study. Their mean age was 57.1 years. All the patients received a high-dose steroid or immunosuppressant. The onset (mean 6.6 days) of fever, cough, breathlessness, and geographical ground-glass opacities revealed by chest computed tomography was acute. The serum β-d-glucan level increased with a simultaneous increase in the Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6 or surfactant protein D level. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and albumin levels and the peripheral blood lymphocyte count at the onset of PCP were low, but only the serum IgG level decreased significantly. The patients were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine isetionate. Six patients died eventually: two patients of progressive respiratory failure, two probably due to a recurrence of the PCP, and two with microbial respiratory infections other than PCP. Five of the six patients required mechanical ventilation. Three patients received secondary prophylaxis and survived. In conclusion, the acute onset was characteristic of PCP in patients with CTDs. High-dose steroids, immunosuppressants, and hypogammaglobulinemia are risk factors; and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, severe secondary infections, and a lack of secondary prophylaxis are poor prognostic factors. Secondary prophylaxis is recommended for all of these patients.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with ulcerative colitis

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with ulcerative colitis

Genotoxic evaluation of the antimalarial drug, fansidar, in cultured human lymphocytes

Fansidar (pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine) has been used extensively worldwide for the treatment of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria, toxoplasmosis and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Because of the wide usage of pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine in developing countries and the lake of information from open literature and reports from manufacturers about the genotoxicity of such antimalarial drug, the present work was suggested. The possible genetic toxicity of fansidar has been evaluated in human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. The frequencies of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) were scored as genetic endpoints. Both tests covering a wide range of induced genetic damage as primary DNA damage, clastogenicity and aneugenicity. Cultures were set up by using blood samples from two healthy donors and the treatment was done using different fansidar concentrations ranging from 1:20 to 10:200 microg/ml. From our results, it appears that this drug is able to induce moderate genotoxic effects, as revealed by the increases found in SCE and MN frequencies in cultures from the two donors at the two highest concentrations tested (5:100 and 10:200 microg/ml). In addition, cyotoxic/cytostatic effects of fansidar were revealed by a decrease in the proliferative rate index (PRI) and in the cytokinesis block proliferation index (CBPI). Our findings suggest that the use of this drug should be restricted to situations where other antimalarial drugs cannot be used. The drug should never be given to pregnant women.

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole–Induced Methemoglobinemia in an HIV-Infected Patient

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole–Induced Methemoglobinemia in an HIV-Infected Patient

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with hematologic malignancies: a descriptive study.

Objectives. A retrospective multicentric study was conducted over a five-year period to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcome of patients with proven Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) complicating hematologic malignancies.Results. The study included 60 HIV-negative patients with 18 non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma (30%), 13 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (21.7%), 10 acute leukemia (16.6%), 5 multiple myeloma (8.3%), 4 Waldenström's diseases (6.6%), 4 chronic myeloid leukemia (6.6%), 3 myelodysplasia (5%), 2 Hodgkin's diseases (3.3%) and 1 thrombopenia. Bronchoalveolar lavage was diagnostic in all patients. Forty-nine patients received cytotoxic drugs (81.7%), 25 (41.7%) a long-term corticotherapy and 15 (25%) underwent bone marrow transplantation. Twenty-seven patients (45%) required admission in the intensive care unit, 35 (58.3%) received an adjunctive corticotherapy and 18 mechanical ventilation (30%). Twenty patients (33.3%) died of PCP. A previous long-term corticotherapy (p=0.04), high respiratory (p=0.05) and pulse rates (p=0.02), elevated C reactive protein (p=0.01) and mechanical ventilation (OR=13.37; IC: 1.9-50) were associated with a poor prognosis. Adjunctive corticotherapy did not modify the prognosis.Conclusions. These results suggest that PCP can occur during the course of various hematologic malignancies, not only lymphoproliferative disorders. Prognosis remains poor. The diagnosis should be advocated more frequently and earlier to improve the prognosis.

Sputum induction: review of literature and proposal for a protocol.

Since the 1980s, sputum induction by inhalation of hypertonic saline has been successfully used for diagnosing Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients infected with HIV. In recent years, sputum induction and its subsequent processing has been refined as a noninvasive research tool providing important information about inflammatory events in the lower airways, and it has been used for studying various illnesses. In asthma, one application is to use sputum inflammatory indices to increase our understanding of complex relationships between inflammatory cells, mediators, and cytokine mechanisms. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sputum assessment could be used as a screening test before deciding on long-term corticosteroid treatment. In tuberculosis, sputum induction is a valuable diagnostic tool for HIV-seropositive patients who do not produce sputum. Sputum induction appears to be a relatively safe, noninvasive means of obtaining airway secretions from subjects with cystic fibrosis, especially from those who do not normally produce sputum. Moreover, sputum induction can also be used in chronic cough and lung cancer. Generally, induction is performed through ultrasonic nebulizers, using hypertonic saline. It is recommended that sputum be processed as soon as possible, with complete homogenization by the use of dithiothreitol. We have also shown in this article an example of a protocol for inducing and processing sputum employing a nebulizer produced in Brazil.

Granulomatous Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with malignancy.

Granulomatous Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with malignancy.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with and without HIV infection.

Advances in the prevention and treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV infected patients have led to a decrease in the incidence and improved outcomes. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia continues to be problematic in non-HIV infected immunocompromised patients.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with connective tissue diseases

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with connective tissue diseases

Effect of mutations in Pneumocystis carinii dihydropteroate synthase gene on outcome of P carinii pneumonia in patients with HIV-1: a prospective study

Investigators have reported that patients infected with Pneumocystis carinii containing mutations in the DHPS (dihydropteroate synthase) gene have a worse outcome than those infected with P carinii containing wild-type DHPS. We investigated patients with HIV-1 infection and P carinii pneumonia to determine if DHPS mutations were associated with poor outcomes in these patients. We compared presence of mutations at the DHPS locus with survival and response of patients to co-trimoxazole or other drugs. For patients initially given co-trimoxazole, nine (14%) of 66 with DHPS mutant died, compared with nine (25%) of 36 with wild type (risk ratio50.55 [95% CI=0.24-1.25]; p=0.15). Ten (15%) of 66 patients with a DHPS mutant did not respond to treatment, compared with 13 (36%) of 36 patients with the wild type (0.42 [0.20-0.86]; p=0.02). For patients aged 40 years or older, four (14%) of 29 with the mutant and nine (56%) of 16 with the wild type died (0.25 [0.09-0.67]; p=0.005). These results, by contrast with those of previous studies, suggest that patients with wild-type P carinii do not have a better outcome than patients with the mutant when given co-trimoxazole. Our results suggest that presence of a DHPS mutation should be only one of several criteria guiding the choice of initial drug treatment of P carinii pneumonia in patients with HIV-1 infection.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients being registered for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in Malawi

The National TB Control Programme of Malawi registers and treats large numbers of patients with chronic cough for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Smear-negative PTB is diagnosed according to clinical and radiographic criteria, as mycobacterial cultures are not routinely available. In an area of high HIV seroprevalence there is a concern that other opportunistic infections apart from TB, such as Pneumocystis carinii, may be missed owing to lack of diagnostic facilities. The aims of this study were to investigate (i) the extent of P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients about to be registered for smear-negative PTB; (ii) whether there were any clinical or radiological features that could help identify PCP in the absence of more detailed investigations; and (iii) the treatment outcome of PCP patients. A cohort of 352 patients who were about to be started on treatment for smear-negative PTB were investigated further in 1997–1999 by clinical assessment, HIV testing and bronchoscopy. HIV sero-prevalence was 89% ( 278 313 ). A total of 186 patients underwent bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage, and PCP was diagnosed by indirect immunofluorescence or polymerase chain reaction in 17 (9%) of this subgroup. Dyspnoea was significantly more common in PCP cases compared to non-PCP cases (RR 1·35; 95% CI 1·24–1·48; P = 0·008), but discrimination between the groups was difficult using clinical criteria alone. The outcome of PCP cases was poor despite management with high-dose co-trimoxazole and secondary co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, with a median survival of 4 months (25–75% range: 2–12 months).

Complications during clinical courses of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

To describe the incidence of complications before and during therapy of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A retrospective review of the patient's medical records. A total of 29 patients with AIDS and PCP who were admitted to the AIDS Clinical Center, International Medical Center of Japan from July 1996 to November 1999. Adverse effects were found in 24 (88.9%) of 27 patients treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (T/S), 6 (46.1%) of 13 treated with parenteral pentamidine, and 2 (20%) of 10 treated with inhaled pentamidine. Infectious and/or non-infectious complications were found in 25 (86.2%) of 29 study patients. Regarding infectious complications, 16 (55.2%) were found on admission and 10 cases (34.5%) with infectious complications were identified during admission; including oral candidiasis (37.9% and 17.2%, respectively) and genital herpes (3.4% and 6.9%, respectively). Cytomegalovirus antigenemia was detected in 4 cases (13.8%) on admission and 12 cases (41.4%) during admission. Non-infectious complications affected 11 cases (37.9%) on admission, and 6 cases (20.7%) during admission, the latter included heart failure (10.3%) and pneumothorax (6.9%). PCP was successfully treated in all but one patient who suffered from repeated pneumothorax. Treatment of PCP can be problematic and it is important to be aware of the high incidence of various complications that can occur during the treatment of PCP.