ð åèç
å¿
è â Pathogen
- Pneumocystis jirovecii (renamed from P. carinii 2002)
- Fungus (reclassified from protozoan)
- Cannot culture in vitro
å¿
è â Risk Factors
- HIV CD4 < 200 (#1)
- Solid organ transplant
- HSCT
- High-dose corticosteroids
- Chemotherapy
- Anti-CD20 (rituximab)
- Anti-TNF
- Hematologic malignancy
- Primary immunodeficiencies
å¿
è â Clinical
- Insidious onset over weeks
- Dry cough + progressive dyspnea + hypoxia + low fever
- Exercise desaturation early
- Bilateral perihilar interstitial CXR / ground-glass HRCT
å¿
è â Lab
- β-D-glucan > 200 pg/mL
- Elevated LDH
- Lymphopenia (HIV)
- Hypoxia + A-a gradient elevated
å¿
è â Diagnosis
- BAL + immunofluorescence (gold standard)
- Induced sputum (less sensitive in non-HIV)
- PCR (sensitive but detects colonization)
- CXR / HRCT characteristic
å¿
è â Treatment
- TMP-SMX 15-20 mg/kg/d (TMP) divided q6h à 21 days (HIV) or 14-21 days (non-HIV)
- Steroid if A-a > 35 or PaO2 < 70 (prednisone 40 mg bid à 5 â 40 qd à 5 â 20 qd à 11 days)
- Steroid significantly reduces mortality in HIV-PJP
å¿
è â TMP-SMX Alternatives
- Clindamycin + primaquine (G6PD screen)
- Pentamidine IV (toxic)
- Atovaquone PO (mild-moderate)
- TMP + dapsone (G6PD screen)
å¿
è â Prophylaxis
- HIV CD4 < 200: TMP-SMX 1 DS qd (also covers Toxo)
- Transplant: Ã 6-12 mo post
- Anti-CD20: case-by-case
- Discontinue HIV: CD4 > 200 Ã 3-6 mo on ART
å¿
è â When to Start ART (HIV-PJP)
- Within 2 weeks (vs 4-6 wk delay for cryptococcal meningitis)
- Less IRIS risk than other OIs
å¿
è â Severity
- Non-HIV-PJP often more severe + rapid onset + higher mortality
- HIV-PJP: insidious, steroid critical