Author(s):

Sherendra K. Sahu and Priyawati Sahu

Abstract: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) continues to be the most common serious opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients despite the extensive use of prophylactic measures. PCP is the short form for Pneumocystis pneumonia. It is a lung infection that can be life threatening. It is one of the most common and most serious infections associated with AIDS and arthritis disease. HIV positive people with CD4+ counts below 250 are at risk of developing this type of pneumonia. Empirical therapy is inapropriate because pathogens other than Pneumocystis jirovecii are often responsible for pulmonary complications and anti-Pneumocystis therapy may be prolonged and potentially toxic directly and indirectly. Medications that are used to treat PCP drugs like Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX, Septra or Bactrim) by mouth or by IV (given through a vein) pentamadine by IV, Dapsone (Avlosulfon) and trimethoprim (Proloprim) by mouth, Clindamycin and primaquine by mouth atovaquine (Mepron) by mouth Prednisone may also be used in combination with the above medications in severe cases of PCP .

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