Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: still a concern in patients with haematological malignancies and stem cell transplant recipients

• Authors: Alanio A, Bretagne S, Cesaro S, Cordonnier C, Donnelly JP, Einsele H, Hauser PM, Helweg-Larsen J, Lagrou K, Maertens J; Fifth European Conference on Infections in Leukemia (ECIL-5), Maschmeyer G, Matos O, Melchers WJ, The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the European LeukemiaNet (ELN), the Immunocompromised Host Society (ICHS)
• Journal: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
• Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27550990

Pneumocystis jirovecii can cause life-threatening pneumonia following treatment for haematological malignancies or after HSCT. The mortality rate of P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in these patients is 30%-60%, especially after HSCT. The clinical presentation of PCP in haematology differs from that associated with HIV infection, with the disease being acute and more often severe, having a lower fungal burden and being more frequently linked to treatment with corticosteroids.
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