PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA (PCP) INFECTION

Overview and Facts

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) infection is dangerous and leads to fluid accumulation and lung swelling. The fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii causes this infection that spreads through the air and is relatively common for many individuals. In addition, most people’s immune systems have already battled it off by the age of three or four. This could, however, cause patients with weakened immune systems, like HIV, to become extremely ill.

Furthermore, while it is uncommon, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) infection may damage other regions of your system, such as your lymph nodes, liver, and bone marrow. PCP is most often seen in persons with blood malignancies, HIV, or who have employed particular medications for autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) infection’s symptoms may not be noticed at first, or they could be minimal. They might include:

  • Loss of weight
  • Chills
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Chest tightness or discomfort when breathing
  • Tiredness

Symptoms of HIV generally show slowly over many weeks. Anyone whose immune systems are compromised for another cause typically begins slowly.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

A specialist might employ a microscope to look for fungus indications in the tissue or fluid of your lungs. Your doctor will also help you spit up the fluid for pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) infection testing. He employs a bronchoscope, a device that enters your mouth and passages to obtain a specimen sample.

They might also try the following:

  • Biopsy: A knife or needle was employed to extract a small number of cells from your lungs.
  • PCR (polymerase chain reaction): This testing duplicates certain sections of DNA to detect lower fungus levels in specimens. 

A chest x-ray or blood test might also be conducted to check for beta D-glucan or low levels of oxygen.

TREATMENT

PCP is often treated with two medications, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (TMP/SMX). 

Depending on your condition, you could be administered them as pills to swallow or through an injection put into your veins at the medical institution.

Other anti-infection medications include:

  • Atovaquone is taken as a drink with meals, Clindamycin with primaquine, and Dapsone with or without trimethoprim.
  • Pentamidine is inhaled using a machine known as a nebulizer.

If your oxygen levels are low, corticosteroids may assist.

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