Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
Alternate Names : Pneumocystosis, PCP, Pneumocystis carinii
Definition
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is a fungal infection of the lungs. The disease used to be called Pneumocystis carinii.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
This type of pneumonia is caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jiroveci. This fungus is common in the environment and does not cause illness in healthy people. However, it can cause a lung infection in in people with a weakened immune system due to: - Cancer
- Chronic use of corticosteroids or other medications that weaken the immune system
- HIV/AIDS
- Orrgan or bone marrow transplant
Pneumocystis jiroveci was a relatively rare infection before the AIDS epidemic. Before the use of preventive antibiotics for the condition, most people in the U.S. with advanced AIDS would develop it.
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