P. jiroveci: Causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Yeast-like
fungus (originally classified as protozoan). Inhaled. Most infections are asymptomatic.
Immunosuppression (eg, AIDS) predisposes to disease. Diffuse, bilateral ground-glass opacities on
CXR/CT. Diagnosed by lung biopsy or lavage. Disc-shaped yeast seen on methenamine silver
stain of lung tissue
Treatment/prophylaxis: TMP-SMX, pentamidine, dapsone (prophylaxis only), atovaquone. Start
prophylaxis when CD4+ count drops to < 200 cells/mm3 in HIV patients.
submitted by cv020496(1)
P. jiroveci: Causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Yeast-like fungus (originally classified as protozoan). Inhaled. Most infections are asymptomatic. Immunosuppression (eg, AIDS) predisposes to disease. Diffuse, bilateral ground-glass opacities on CXR/CT. Diagnosed by lung biopsy or lavage. Disc-shaped yeast seen on methenamine silver stain of lung tissue
Treatment/prophylaxis: TMP-SMX, pentamidine, dapsone (prophylaxis only), atovaquone. Start prophylaxis when CD4+ count drops to < 200 cells/mm3 in HIV patients.