Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Jiroveci
Basics
Description
- Pneumocystis jiroveci causes pneumonia primarily in immunocompromised patients.
- The fungus that causes this pneumonia in humans was previously called Pneumocystis carinii.
- The name was formally changed to P. jiroveci in 2001, following the discovery that the fungus that infects humans is unique and distinctive from the fungus that infects animals.
- P. jiroveci is extremely resistant to traditional antifungal agents, including both amphotericin and azole agents.
- To prevent confusion, the term PCP, which used to represent P. carinii pneumonia, now represents Pneumocystis pneumonia.
ALERT
No combination of symptoms, signs, blood chemistries, or radiographic findings is diagnostic of P. jiroveci pneumonia (1).
No combination of symptoms, signs, blood chemistries, or radiographic findings is diagnostic of P. jiroveci pneumonia (1).
Epidemiology
- P. jiroveci has a worldwide distribution, and most children have been exposed to the fungus by 2 to 4 years (2).
- The reservoir and mode of transmission for P. jiroveci is still unclear.
- Human studies favor an airborne transmission model, with person-to-person spread being the most likely mode of infection acquisition (1).
Incidence
- Infants with HIV infection have a peak incidence of PCP between 2 and 6 months (2).
- HIV-infected infants have a high mortality rate, with a median survival of only 1 month.
Prevalence
- The prevalence of P. jiroveci colonization among healthy adults is 0–20%.
- Recent studies have demonstrated the transient nature of P. jiroveci colonization in asymptomatic, immunocompetent patients (1).
- 50% of patients with PCP are coinfected with ≥2 strains of P. jiroveci (2).
- There is evidence that distinct strains are responsible for each episode in patients who develop multiple episodes of PCP (2).
Etiology and Pathophysiology
Mode of transmission is unknown; likely respiratory from infected host
Risk Factors
Individuals at risk (1)
- Patients with HIV infection, especially if not receiving prophylactic treatment for PCP
- Patients who are receiving high doses of glucocorticoids
- Patients who have an altered immune system not due to HIV
- Patients who are receiving chronic immunosuppressive medications
- Patients who have hematologic or solid malignancies resulting in malignancy-related immune depression
General Prevention
- Indications for prophylaxis
- HIV-infected adults (2)
- Should start when CD4 count is <200 cells/μL or if the patient develops oropharyngeal candidiasis
- HIV-infected children (2)
- Prophylaxis should be provided for children aged ≥6 years based on adult guidelines.
- For children aged 1 to 5 years, start when CD4 count is <500 cells/μL.
- For infants 4 to 6 weeks to 12 months old, prophylaxis for first year of life.
- Non–HIV-infected adults receiving immunosuppressive medications or with underlying immune system deficits should receive PCP prophylaxis, but currently, there are no specific guidelines on when to start this.
- HIV-infected adults (2)
- Medication
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
- Adults: 1 double-strength tablet daily (preferred regimen) or 1 double-strength tablet 3 times per week
- Children 4 weeks old and older: TMP 5 to 10 mg/kg/day; and sulfamethoxazole, 25 to 50 mg/kg per day, orally. The total daily dose should not exceed 320 mg TMP and 16,000 mg SMX. Acceptable dosing intervals and schedules: in divided doses twice daily, 3 days per week on consecutive or alternate days; in divided doses twice daily, 2 days per week on consecutive or alternate days; total dose once daily, given 7 days per week.
- Atovaquone suspension
- Adults: 1,500 mg PO once daily with food
- Children: not to exceed 1,500 mg/day
- 1 to 3 months: 30 mg/kg/day PO once daily
- 4 to 24 months: 45 mg/kg/day PO once daily
- >24 months: 30 mg/kg/day PO once daily
- Adolescents aged ≥13 years: Refer to adult dosing.
- Dapsone
- Adults only: 50 mg twice daily or 100 mg once daily
- Children 1 month or older: 2 mg/kg (maximum 100 mg), orally, once a day or 4 mg/kg (maximum 200 mg), orally every week.
- Pentamidine
- Adults only: 300 mg aerosolized every 4 weeks
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
- Discontinuation of prophylaxis
- Discontinue if combined antiretroviral therapy has been administered for 6 months or more and the CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell count is >200 cells/μL or greater and have been sustained for >3 consecutive months in patients aged ≥6 years.
- In children aged 1 to 5 years, discontinue if combined antiretroviral therapy has been administered for 6 months or more and the CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell count is 500 cells/μL or greater and have been sustained for >3 consecutive months.
Commonly Associated Conditions
- HIV Infection
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Interstitial lung disease
- Connective tissue diseases treated with corticosteroids
- Cancer and organ transplant patients on immunosuppressive medication
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Jiroveci." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116467/all/Pneumonia__Pneumocystis_Jiroveci.
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Jiroveci. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116467/all/Pneumonia__Pneumocystis_Jiroveci. Accessed December 9, 2024.
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Jiroveci. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116467/all/Pneumonia__Pneumocystis_Jiroveci
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Jiroveci [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 December 09]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116467/all/Pneumonia__Pneumocystis_Jiroveci.
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