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Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Solid Organ Transplantation
Author(s) -
Martin S. I.,
Fishman J. A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/ajt.12119
Subject(s) - medicine , solid organ , pneumonia , transplantation , organ transplantation , pneumocystis pneumonia , intensive care medicine , pneumocystis jirovecii
Pneumocystis jiroveci, previously P. carinii, is the quintessential opportunistic infection among immunocompromised patients (1). Despite the availability of effective prophylaxis, P. jiroveci remains an important pathogen among solid organ transplant recipients. Pneumocystis spp. are thought to be ubiquitous in nature with serologic studies suggesting exposure occurs commonly in childhood (2). The existence and degree of respiratory tract colonization by Pneumocystis is a topic of great interest (3,4). Symptomatic Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is generally limited, however, to individuals with immune deficits. Animal models suggest that de novo infection via airborne transmission and reactivation of previously established infection can occur (5). Clusters of infection have been described in medical facilities among solid organ transplant recipients as well, suggesting the possibility of direct or indirect person-to-person transmission (6–11).