Pneumonia due to pneumocystis

Definition

Infection with Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly Pneumocystis carinii) is an opportunistic infection that is frequently seen in the immunologically compromised, such as persons with HIV/AIDS, or steroid-treated individuals, the elderly, or premature or debilitated babies during their first three months. Patients may be only slightly febrile (or even afebrile), but are likely to be extremely weak, dyspnoeic, and cyanotic. This is a major cause of morbidity among patients with HIV/AIDS. It manifests principally as a pneumonia.

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