What is pneumocystis pneumonia?
What is pneumocystis pneumonia?
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious infection caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. Most people who get PCP have a medical condition that weakens their immune system, like HIV/AIDS, or take medicines (such as corticosteroids) that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.
How does pneumocystis pneumonia occur?
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious infection that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in your lungs. It’s brought on by a fungus called Pneumocystis jirovecii that spreads through the air. This fungus is very common.
What is Pneumocystis prophylaxis?
Pneumocystis jirovecii, despite its classification as a fungus, is susceptible to several antibacterial and antiparasitic drugs that can be used for prevention of infection among patients at high risk for PCP. The agent most commonly used for prophylaxis is trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX).
Which antibiotic is the drug of choice for Pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis?
What is the life cycle of pneumonia?
Three major life cycle stages have been identified by morphology: the cyst (also known as the spore case or ascus), the precystic form and the trophic form stages (Walzer et al. 1976; Matsumoto and Yoshida 1984).
What is Pneumocystis pneumonia?
Pneumocystis pneumonia is a type of infection of the lungs (pneumonia) in people with a weak immune system. It is caused by a yeast-like fungus called Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJP).
What is PCP (Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia)?
Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP), now referred to as Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia is a fungal infection that most commonly affects the immunocompromised and, in some cases, can be severely life-threatening.
What is the scientific name for Pneumocystis carinii?
Nomenclature. The older species name Pneumocystis carinii (which now applies only to the Pneumocystis species that is found in rats) is still in common usage. As a result, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is also known as Pneumocystis jiroveci[i] pneumonia and (incorrectly) as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Regarding nomenclature,…
How do you test for pneumocystis infection?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can also be used to detect Pneumocystis DNA in different types of samples. A blood test to detect β-D-glucan (a part of the cell wall of many different types of fungi) can also help diagnose PCP.
