Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum, Pneumopericardium, and Pneumothorax with Respiratory Failure in a Patient with AIDS and Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia.

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in up to 35% of patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. However, spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium are uncommon complications in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, with no reported incidence rates, even among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and P. jirovecii pneumonia. We report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and pneumothorax with respiratory failure during treatment of P. jirovecii pneumonia in a patient with AIDS; the P. jirovecii infection was confirmed by performing methenamine silver staining of bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. This case suggests that spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium should be considered in patients with AIDS and P. jirovecii pneumonia.

• Authors: Yun Kyung Park, Hee Chan Jung, Shin Young Kim, Min Young Kim, Kwanhoon Jo, Se Young Kim, Borami Kang, Gihyeon Woo, Hyun Joo Choi, Seong-Heon Wie
• Journal: Infection & chemotherapy (Infect Chemother) Vol. 46 Issue 3 Pg. 204-8 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 2093-2340 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 25298911 (Publication Type: Journal Article)