We present a 27-year-old lady with HIV-1 infection who died due to rapidly worsening respiratory failure one day after commencing amphotericin B deoxycholate therapy for cryptococcal meningitis. Chest x-ray appearances were consistent with pneumocystis pneumonia but post mortem examination showed evidence of severe necrotizing cryptococcal pneumonia. Cryptococcal pneumonia is an underrecognized...

We compared the prophylactic activities of six fluoroquinolones against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunosuppressed rats. Pefloxacin was the only agent which was as effective as the reference drug trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Clinical trials with pefloxacin in patients at risk for P. carinii pneumonia appear to be justified.

McCONNELL, E. E., BASSON, P. A. & PIENAAR, J. G. Pneumocystosis in a domestic goat. Onderstep oort ]. vet. Res., 38 (2), 117-126 (1971). A fatal case of an infection by the parasite, Pneumocystis carinii Delanoe & Delanoe, 1914, is described in a young domestic goat. The disease was manifested as a severe diffuse interstitial pneumonitis accompanied by filling of the alveolar air spaces by larg...

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) has long been recognized as a cause of mortality in immuno-compromised populations, including those with advanced lung cancer. Although Pneumocystis colonization has only recently been described due to the development of more sensitive molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), it is unknown whether Pneumocystis colonization leads to t...

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and parenteral pentamidine isethionate are effective in 60 to 80 per cent of AIDS patients with pneumocystis pneumonia. Adverse reactions are frequent with both agents, but because the adverse reactions are less severe with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, this agent is the drug of choice for patients who are not known to be intolerant of it. The recommended duration...

Pneumocystis species remain an important cause of life-threatening pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts, including those with AIDS. Responses of the organism to environmental cues both within the lung and elsewhere have been poorly defined. Herein, we report the identification of a cell wall biosynthesis kinase gene (CBK1) homologue in Pneumocystis carinii, isolated by differential display PCR,...

OBJECTIVE Historically, pneumonia during pregnancy has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared with nonpregnant women. The goal of this article is to review current literature describing pneumonia in pregnancy. This review will identify maternal risk factors, potential complications, and prenatal outcomes associated with pneumonia and describe the contemporary management...