Gastrointestinal pneumocystosis in HIV-infected patients on aerosolized pentamidine: report of five cases and literature review.

DI Dieterich, EA Lew, DJ Bacon… - American Journal of …, 1992 - search.ebscohost.com
DI Dieterich, EA Lew, DJ Bacon, KI Pearlman, JV Scholes
American Journal of Gastroenterology (Springer Nature), 1992search.ebscohost.com
Extrapulmonary infection with Pneumocystis carinii in AIDS patients on aerosolized
pentamidine is occurring more frequently. We report five patients diagnosed with
gastrointestinal pneumocystosis while on aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis and have
identified infections involving the peritoneum, liver, and transverse colon, as well as stomach
and duodenum. Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for extrapulmonary
pneumocystosis, especially involving the gastrointestinal system, in HIV-infected patients …
Abstract
Extrapulmonary infection with Pneumocystis carinii in AIDS patients on aerosolized pentamidine is occurring more frequently. We report five patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal pneumocystosis while on aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis and have identified infections involving the peritoneum, liver, and transverse colon, as well as stomach and duodenum. Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for extrapulmonary pneumocystosis, especially involving the gastrointestinal system, in HIV-infected patients, and early diagnosis must he pursued aggressively. The use of aerosolized pentamidine as prophylaxis for P. carinii pneumonia is not protective against gastrointestinal pneumocystosis because of inadequate systemic distribution of the drug. To our knowledge, this is the first report in a clinical journal documenting and photographing P. carinii organisms in ascitic fluid.
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