[Pneumocystis pneumonia and HIV infection in two patients suspected with COVID-19]

ABSTRACT

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in undiagnosed HIV-positive individuals and COVID-19 patients share many of the same clinical features. This case report describes two patients admitted to hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both suffered from dyspnoea, dry cough and fever, showed signs of underlying illness and had severe hypoxia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels and lymfocytopenia. COVID-19 was suspected despite several negative tests. Both patients tested positive for PCP and HIV. In cases with unexplained interstitial pneumonia, PCP and underlying immunodeficiency should be suspected, and an HIV-test should be performed.