| Title | Pneumocystis pneumonia in children. | | Author(s) | Pyrgos V, Shoham S, Roilides E, Walsh TJ | | Institution | Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA; Section of Infectious Diseases, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA. | | Source | Paediatr Respir Rev 2009 Dec; 10(4):192-8. | | Abstract | Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised children with quantitative and qualitative defects in T lymphocytes. At risk are children with lymphoid malignancies, HIV infection, corticosteroid therapy, transplantation and primary immunodeficiency states. Diagnosis is established through direct examination or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from respiratory secretions. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole is used for initial therapy in most patients, while pentamidine, atovaquone, clindamycin plus primaquine, and dapsone plus trimethoprim are alternatives. Prophylaxis of high-risk patients reduces but does not eliminate the risk of PCP. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of PCP is important for future advances against this life-threatening infection. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 19879509 |
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