What are the indications for Pneumocystis Pneumonia Prophylaxis in non HIV patients?
Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia is a pneumonia caused by the fungal organism Pneumocystis carinii (now renamed Pneumocystis jiroveci). This organism is common in the environment and does not cause illness in healthy people. However, Pneumocystis carinii can cause a lung infection in in people with a weakened immune system due to any of the following conditions: Cancer Chronic use of corticosteroids or other medications that affect the immune system HIV/AIDS Solid organ or bone marrow transplant PCP was a relatively rare infection before the AIDS epidemic. Before the use of preventive antibiotics for PCP, up to 70% of people in the U.S. with advanced AIDS would develop PCP.
Related Questions
- Can data from an electronic medical record identify which patients with pneumonia have Pneumocystis carinii Infection?
- Antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients with von Willebrand disease undergoing major surgery: when is it necessary?
- Are AZT and prophylaxis for pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) cost-effective?
