[Pneumocystis pneumonia in newborns: a challenge in contemporary intensive care].

Abstract

Pneumocystis jiroveci (P. jiroveci) is the etiological agent of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunodeficient patients. The increased interest of clinicians in this particular pathogen during the past decade was prompted by rising numbers of patients with immunosuppression caused by AIDS, chemotherapy, or organ transplantation. Premature, seriously ill infants at intensive care units constitute a potential risk group for infection with P. jiroveci. Recent advances in medical sciences, owing mainly to developments in molecular biology, permitted the verification of the taxonomic position of pathogens and contributed to a better understanding of new aspects of pathophysiology and pathogenesis of PCP. It has been demonstrated that the genus Pneumocystis represents a heterogeneous group of opportunistic fungi exhibiting narrow host specificity. Pneumocystis jiroveci is the species which is specific for humans. The present paper outlines the clinical symptoms of PCP in infants, currently used diagnostic methods, and treatment procedures in PCP.

• Authors: Agnieszka Kordek, Lidia Kołodziejczyk, Beata Pawlus, Beata Łoniewska, Wanda Kuźna-Grygiel, Jacek Rudnicki
• Journal: Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis (Ann Acad Med Stetin) Vol. 52 Issue 2 Pg. 65-70; discussion 70 ( 2006) ISSN: 1427-440X [Print] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Pneumocystoza noworodków - aktualne wyzwanie w intensywnej terapii.
• PMID: 17633398 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Antifungal Agents
• Pentamidine
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics

• Anti-Infective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antifungal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature, Diseases (diagnosis, drug therapy, microbiology)
• Intensive Care, Neonatal (methods)
• Pentamidine (therapeutic use)
• Pneumocystis carinii (drug effects, isolation & purification)
• Pneumonia, Pneumocystis (diagnosis, drug therapy, microbiology)
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination (therapeutic use)