Pneumocystis jirovecii Infections

Symptomatic infection with Pneumocystis jirovecii is extremely rare in healthy people. However, in immunocompromised infants and children, P jirovecii causes a respiratory illness characterized by dyspnea, tachypnea, significant hypoxemia, nonproductive cough, chills, fatigue, and fever. The intensity of these signs and symptoms may vary, and in some immunocompromised children and adults, the onset may be acute and fulminant. Most children with Pneumocystis pneumonia are significantly hypoxic. Chest radiographs often show bilateral diffuse interstitial or alveolar disease but may appear normal in early disease. Atypical radiographic findings may include lobar, miliary, cavitary, and nodular lesions. The mortality rate in immunocompromised patients...