[Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients]

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the dramatic decrease in opportunistic infections after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia remains the major AIDS related infection in France.

Background: The clinical, radiological and microbiological diagnosis is usually easily made in HIV-infected patients. The preferred treatment is high dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, in association with steroids in cases of severe hypoxaemia. This has led to a dramatic reduction in mortality in these patients. Prophylactic treatment is mandatory in highly immunosuppressed patients (CD4 counts<200/μL) whose viraemia is not well controlled by antiretroviral therapy.

Viewpoint: Whether PCR-based diagnosis would be useful for HIV-infected patients is a matter of debate, as is also the clinical significance of P. jirovecii colonization. The best alternative regimens for treating P. jirovecii pneumonia in cases of treatment failure or severe intolerance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are not clearly defined.

Conclusion: In the context of universal HIV testing and recent guideline recommendations to start antiretroviral therapy early in the course of HIV infection, the frequency of P. jirovecii pneumonia should continue to decline in France.