ABSTRACT
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is a common pathology in HIV-infected but also in uninfected immunocompromised individuals. The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) is a new type of coronavirus disease caused by SARS-COV-2, and the chest imaging is often used as complementary tool in patients' evaluation. The imaging finding is similar with many pulmonary pathologies. Chest computed tomography scan is gold standard imaging and shows a central and diffuse distribution, ground- glass pattern with septal thickening with "crazy paving pattern." We reported a case of 57-year-old man patient, followed in oncology for laryngeal cancer who presented of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia during his follow-up. The diagnosis is confirmed by polymerase chain reaction with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Other immunochemical tests can be performed but are less specific. Both curative and preventive treatment in subjects at risk remains trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Corticosteroid therapy may be associated depending on the case.
ABSTRACT
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic fungal infection associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection as an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining illness. The PCP incidence in patients with HIV has declined over the last few decades due to effective antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis. The PCP incidence in HIV-negative patients has increased due to the increasing use of a wide array of immunosuppressants in cancer and autoimmune disease. PCP clinical course varies from patients with HIV in their clinical features, the severity of clinical presentation, and mortality. PCP in autoimmune diseases is rare, especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the United States of America (USA). Here, we describe an elderly Caucasian female with rheumatoid arthritis and left lung mucinous adenocarcinoma status post recent resection with no chemotherapy on a low dose of methotrexate (MTX) and prednisone presenting with acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to PCP from absolute lymphopenia.
ABSTRACT
We report our initial experience with the management of a mixed group of patients with COVID-19 infection, admitted and treated in a designated COVID-19 centre in the Athens Metropolitan area over a 4-week period. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented a huge challenge to the Greek National Healthcare System and healthcare workers. Their response so far has been miraculously effective. Since there are essentially no therapeutic guidelines yet for this disease, we relied mainly on our medical intuition, our empathy for our patients and team work to do the best possible for 49 people with this infection. We present the therapeutic algorithm we gradually developed (on the job) and applied in our patients, based on continuous creative brainstorming and monitoring of the literature.