[Pneumocystis jirovecii infection in non-HIV patients : diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis].

Abstract

Pneumocystis jirovecii, formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii, is an opportunistic fungus responsible for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PPJ). This is a serious and potentially fatal infection in immunocompromised individuals. This is mainly observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but also in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment immunosuppressive therapy, patients with hematological malignancies, solid tumours and organ transplants. The incidence of pneumonia has risen steadily in recent years, due to the increased use of by the increasing use of immunosuppressive medication. Its diagnosis is based on detection of the pathogen in pulmonary secretions. PPJ is associated with high morbidity and mortality (35-50 %), particularly in the absence of early diagnosis and adequate treatment (90 %). Moreover, the prognosis is poorer in these non-HIV patients. The treatment of choice is trimethoprim-sulfametoxazole (TMP-SMX). The epidemiology, clinical presentation and treatment differ from those of HIV patients and will not be will not be discussed in this article devoted to non-HIV patients.