Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Review of 32 cases in immunocompromised hosts

The records of patients in whom Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was diagnosed between January 1989 and December 1991 were reviewed. Thirty-two patients - all immunocompromised - were included in the study: 41% were HIV-positive and 59% HIV-negative. In 23 patients (72%) concomitant pathogens were isolated, most frequently Cytomegalovirus. Presenting symptoms included fever (97%), cough (75%) and dyspnea (63%). All HIV-infected patients had a T-4-lymphocyte count below 200/mm(3) (or 20%). The majority of patients (80%) treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole experienced adverse events which were usually well tolerated, so that a therapy change was necessary in only 12% of patients. PCP was fatal in 34% of the patients. Respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation carries a poor prognosis. The ratio of non-AIDS/AIDS patients infected with PC is increasing. This increase is due to the growing contribution of patients treated with immunosuppressive agents and patients with disease-associated immunodeficiencies other than AIDS. Our study suggests that treatment of PCP is mor successful with early diagnosis. In addition, as mortality rate is high in non-AIDS patients, our data suggest that the more frequent use of PCP prophylaxis in patients given immunosuppressive drugs, might reduce the incidence of PCP and PCP related mortality.