We have cloned and characterized the kex1 gene of Pneumocystis jiroveci. Unlike the case for Pneumocystis carinii, in which the homologous PRT-1 genes are multicopy, kex1 is a single-copy gene encoding a protein homologous to fungal serine endoproteases, which localize to the Golgi apparatus. Thus, substantial biological differences can be seen among Pneumocystis species.

An empirical approach to treating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was adopted in a prospective study of 73 men with antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) presenting with respiratory problems. At presentation 49 patients (group 1) were thought to have a history, findings at clinical examination, chest radiograph, and arterial blood gas tensions typical of pneumocystis pneumonia, an...

CD4(+) T cells play a key role in host defense against Pneumocystis infection. To define the role of naïve CD4(+) T cell production through the thymopoietic response in host defense against Pneumocystis infection, Pneumocystis murina infection in the lung was induced in adult male C57BL/6 mice with and without prior thymectomy. Pneumocystis infection caused a significant increase in the number ...

BACKGROUND As increasing numbers of patients with immunosuppression induced by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) present with respiratory symptoms it is important to differentiate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia from other chest diseases rapidly and start treatment early. The management of pneumocystis pneumonia could be improved if clinicians could diagnose this condition confidently on th...

conclusions the study indicated that the rate of p. jirovecii infection is similar to those reported from asian, indian and african countries. the similarity of the genetic pattern between iranian and indian isolates is probably due to their close geographical proximity. patients and methods we used two nested pcr and pcr-rflp assays to amplify mt lsu rrna and dhps genes in 126 samples obtained...

The genus Pneumocystis contains a family of fungal organisms that infect a wide variety of mammalian species. Although it is a cause of pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts, recent evidence suggests that these organisms colonize nonimmunosuppressed hosts. Detection of cryptic colonization with Pneumocystis becomes important in animal studies when infection-free animals are necessary. Provocatio...

Pneumocystis pneumonia remains a common opportunistic infection in the diverse immunosuppressed population. One clear risk factor for susceptibility to Pneumocystis is a declining CD4(+) T cell count in the setting of HIV/AIDS or primary immunodeficiency. Non-HIV-infected individuals taking immunosuppressive drug regimens targeting T cell activation are also susceptible. Given the crucial role ...

Pneumocystis species are opportunistic fungal pathogens that cause severe pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. Recent evidence has suggested that unidentified proteases are involved in Pneumocystis life cycle regulation. Proteolytically active ADAM (named for "a disintegrin and metalloprotease") family molecules have been identified in some fungal organisms, such as Aspergillus fumigatus and S...

While Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) still impacts the AIDS patients, it has a growing importance in immunosuppressed HIV-negative patients. To determine the anti-Pneumocystis therapeutic efficacy of new compounds, animal and in vitro models have been developed. Indeed, well-designed mouse or rat experimental models of pneumocystosis can be used to describe the in vivo anti-Pneumocystis activity ...