J Korean Soc Transplant.  2010 Jun;24(2):114-117. 10.4285/jkstn.2010.24.2.114.

Two Cases of Pneumocystis Pneumonia after Liver Transplantation Presenting with Different Clinical Manifestations

• Kim YJ
• Kim SI
• Hong KW
• Chang MO
• Kim JI
• Yoo YK
• Moon IS
• Kim DG
• Lee MD
• Kang MW

• KMID: 1457137
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4285/jkstn.2010.24.2.114

Abstract

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), now known as Pneumocystis jirovecii, is a fungal pathogen that causes opportunistic disease, especially pneumonia, in immunocompromised patients. The patients can have a spectrum of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic to fulminant respiratory failure. Here we report two cases with pneumocystis pneumonia after liver transplantation who presented with different clinical features. One patient developed acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and expired due to PCP and a superimposed bacterial infection. The other patient was asymptomatic and discovered by regular X-ray check-up. He was successfully treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. As shown by our cases, PCP presents with broad clinical manifestations and leads to various clinical courses in liver transplant recipients. Thus, Pneumocystis jirovecii has to be considered a potential pathogen of pneumonia in liver transplant recipients regardless of severity, especially one who is not on prophylactic medications. We consider prophylaxis of PCP in liver transplant recipients in our center.

Keyword

Pneumonia; Pneumocystis; Pneumocystis jirovecii; Liver transplantation

MeSH Terms

Bacterial Infections
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Liver
Liver Transplantation
Pneumocystis
Pneumocystis jirovecii
Pneumonia
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis
Respiration, Artificial
Respiratory Insufficiency

Reference

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