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Pneumocystis jirovecii Infections Among COVID-19 Patients: A Case Series and Literature Review.
- Source :
-
Open forum infectious diseases [Open Forum Infect Dis] 2023 Jan 27; Vol. 10 (2), pp. ofad043. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jan 27 (Print Publication: 2023). - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a serious, emerging complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).<br />Methods: We performed a systematic review of published cases. We describe 6 new cases of PCP/COVID-19 coinfection. Among our cases (n = 6) and those in the literature (n = 69) with available data, the median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 59 (44-77) years (n = 38), 72% (47/65) were male, and the mortality rate was 30.9% (21/68).<br />Results: Long-term corticosteroid use was noted in 45.1% (23/51), advanced HIV infection (defined as a CD4 count <200 cells/μL) in 17.6% (9/51), and antineoplastic chemotherapy in 13.7% (7/51), consistent with known PCP risk factors. Notably, 56.7% (38/47) had verifiable risk factors for PCP (high-dose corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy, and HIV infection) before COVID-19 infection. A median absolute lymphocyte count (IQR) of 0.61 (0.28-0.92) ×10 <superscript>3</superscript> cells/mm <superscript>3</superscript> (n = 23) and CD4 count (IQR) of 66 (33-291.5) cells/mm <superscript>3</superscript> (n = 20) were also discovered among the study population.<br />Conclusions: These findings suggest a need for greater attention to PCP risk factors among COVID-19 patients and consideration of PCP prophylaxis in these high-risk populations.<br />Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: no reported conflicts.<br /> (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2328-8957
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Open forum infectious diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36817747
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofad043