Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a non-HIV patient on steroids

Fatal Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a HIV-negative adult

Pneumocystis jirovecii is responsible for P. jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in immunocompromised individuals, with a recent rise of cases noted in non-HIV patients. A middle-aged man presented with new-onset cough, fever, hypoxia and tachypnoea. He was on a tapering course of dexamethasone for amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis. He developed worsening airspace disease necessitating mechanical ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was positive for P. jirovecii and he was managed with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and pentamidine, but succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest. One-third of PJP cases occur in non-HIV patients, and have a higher morbidity and mortality. Most immunocompromised patients typically exhibit PJP during a corticosteroid taper. The accurate dose, duration or frequency of steroid use in not well established. Diagnosis of PJP in this population is more challenging due to lower BAL yield with alternate modalities such as serum/BAL β-d-glucan and PCR enhancing the yield. Further studies are needed to highlight PJP prophylaxis in patients with steroid use.

Fact or fiction: does the non-HIV/AIDS immunosuppressed patient need Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis? An updated literature review

BACKGROUND

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) is a potentially fatal fungal infection occurring in immunocompromised patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether PJP prophylaxis is required in the non-human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) immunocompromised patient and, if so, the optimal prophylactic therapy.

METHODS

A thorough literature review, with the appropriate MeSH terms, was conducted using PubMed, Medline, and The Cochrane Database. A number of cases describing PJP in patients with various systemic diseases and immunosuppressive medications, along with a Cochrane review, were highlighted.

RESULTS

Although there are a number of case reports in the literature, the only collagen vascular disease with an increased incidence of PJP is Wegener granulomatosis. Oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole continues to be the prophylaxis of choice for PJP.

CONCLUSION

There is currently no evidence to recommend PJP prophylaxis in the non-HIV/AIDS immunocompromised population. If physicians do decide to use prophylaxis, they should always weigh the benefits with the potential risks. Further studies are needed to better quantify the risks of PJP with immunosuppressive medications.

Síndrome de Cushing exógena e retirada de glicocorticóides

Glicocorticóides são amplamente utilizados na prática clínica para o controle da atividade de doenças auto-imunes, inflamatórias, alérgicas e outras entidades nosológicas. Doses terapêuticas de glicocorticóides são muita vezes administradas inapropriadamente e isto é um problema particular, pois a terapia crônica tem muitos efeitos colaterais que se estendem desde a supressão do eixo hipotálamo-hipofisário-adrenal e síndrome de Cushing até infecções e alterações do status mental. Fatores que influenciam tanto nos efeitos adversos quanto nos terapêuticos dos glicocorticóides incluem propriedades farmacocinéticas do glicocorticóide, dose diária, diferenças individuais no metabolismo esteróide e duração do tratamento. Quando utilizados para o controle da atividade destas doenças, quatro aspectos da retirada de glicocorticóide merecem atenção especial. Primeiro, a doença tratada pelo esteróide pode recorrer. Segundo, o eixo hipotálamo- hipófise-adrenal pode permanecer suprimido por um longo período. Terceiro, muitas vezes desenvolve-se dependência psicológica a esses hormônios. Quarto, uma síndrome de retirada inespecífica pode desenvolver mesmo enquanto os pacientes estão recebendo doses de reposição fisiológica de glicocorticóides. A gravidade da síndrome de retirada depende da fase e o grau de dependência e inclui sintomas tais como anorexia, náusea, vômitos, perda de peso, fadiga, mialgias, artralgias, cefaléia, dor abdominal, letargia, hipotensão postural, febre e descamação da pele.