Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a healthy immunocompetent patient: A case report and literature review.
Houda RouisChirine MoussaYoldez HoucineInes ZendahHamida KwasHabib GhediraSonia MaâlejPublished in: SAGE open medical case reports (2023)
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, typically an opportunistic infection, is commonly associated with risk factors such as low CD4+ lymphocyte count, underlying malignancies, organ transplantation, or immunosuppressive medications. However, occurrences in healthy individuals without known risk factors are exceptionally rare and sparsely documented. In our retrospective analysis of a 42-year-old male without past medical history at Abderrahmane Mami Hospital, Tunisia, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia was diagnosed. The patient presented with fever, productive cough, hemoptysis, and a decline in general health. Clinical examination revealed fever and hypoxemia, and imaging studies demonstrated bilateral necrotic alveolar opacities. Despite empirical antibiotics, nonresponse necessitated bronchoscopy, confirming Pneumocystis jirovecii . Treatment with oral Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim yielded excellent outcomes. This case highlights the potential occurrence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in immunocompetent individuals, underscoring the importance of direct microbiological methods in assessing suggestive clinical and radiological features.
Keyphrases
- risk factors
- healthcare
- case report
- community acquired pneumonia
- respiratory failure
- high resolution
- peripheral blood
- risk assessment
- cross sectional
- emergency department
- single cell
- metabolic syndrome
- type diabetes
- skeletal muscle
- mesenchymal stem cells
- stem cells
- human health
- weight loss
- acute care
- nk cells
- glycemic control
- health promotion
- mechanical ventilation