Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Host
Alternate Names : Pneumonia in Immunodeficient Patient
Definition An infection of the lungs that occurs in a person whose mechanisms to fight infection are significantly impaired.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Because defense mechanisms are limited in immunocompromised patients (people with a defective immune response), they are susceptible to infections by microorganisms that are present everywhere, but do not cause disease in healthy people. They are also more susceptible to the usual causes of pneumonia, which can affect anyone. Causes of immunosuppression include HIV infection, leukemia, organ transplantation, bone marrow transplant, and medications to treat cancer.
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