Pneumocystis infection

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) is a potentially life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection. 

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) is a potentially life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection that occurs predominantly in immunocompromised hosts, particularly in patients with HIV but also in those with malignancies, organ or bone marrow transplants, and  autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases (AIIDs). [1]

In patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, absolute peripheral lymphopenia, high-dose corticosteroids, combination immunosuppressive therapy, and concomitant lung disease are strong predictors warranting prophylaxis.

 The risk of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is particularly elevated in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. TMP-SMX remains first-line prophylaxis across all patient populations, with atovaquone, dapsone, or aerosolized pentamidine serving as alternatives when TMP-SMX is not tolerated or contraindicated. [1]