Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia 

Clinical 

 • Caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly carinil) 

 • Immunocompromised host (HIV, transplant) 

 • Seen in HIV positive patients with CD4 < 200 

 • Symptoms progress over 2—3 weeks 

 • Fever, dry cough 

 • Oxygen desaturation common with ambulation 

 • LDH is often elevated 

Treatment 

 • Steroids for Pa02 < 70 or A-a gradient > 35  

 • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) 



#Pneumocystis #jirovecii #PJP #Pneumonia #Diagnosis #Management