| What | Who/When | Where | How | Epidemiology/Miscellaneous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Is it a protozoan or a fungus?
Yeast-like fungus
|
Who discovered it?
Otto Jirovec
|
Where is in the body is found?
In the lungs
|
How is it spread from host to host?
Airborne, through the environment.
|
What does Pneumocystis jirovecii cause?
PCP (pneumocystis pneumonia).
|
|
Is it gram positive or gram negative?
Gram negative
|
When was it discovered?
In the early 1900s.
|
Can it be found in other areas of the body?
Yes, but it is rare. It can also be found in the skin, lymph nodes, and spleen.
|
True or False: HIV/AIDS patients can prevent PCP by using maintenance therapy.
True.
|
What are some symptoms of PCP?
Fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, inflammation/build up in the lungs.
|
|
True or False: Pneumocystis jirovecii is round in size and 5-8µm in size.
True
|
Who is more prone to PCP, adults or children?
Adults because children have stronger immune systems. 20% of adults will carry the fungus.
|
Why is it most prevalent in certain locations?
A lot of people in these populations that have PCP are infected with HIV.
|
How is it cured?
With preventative antibiotics.
|
When was Pneumocystis carinii changed to Pneumocystis jirovecii?
When it was discovered in humans.
|
|
What type of pathogen is it?
Human pathogen
|
When did it first come to great attention?
It first came to attention as a cause of interstitial pneumonia in malnourished and premature infants during World War II
|
Where is PCP most prevalent in the developing world?
South-east Asia and sub-saharan Africa
|
How is it diagnosed?
With lab tests such as PCR and biopsies. X-rays and blood tests are taken to see if oxygen levels are low. The doctor will force the patient to cough up a sample by using a bronchoscope
|
Who is most likely to get infected with PCP (besides those with HIV)?
People with weakened immune systems such as those who suffer from cancer, bone marrow transplants, long-term use of corticosteroids.
|
|
What division is it in (relating to taxonomy)?
Ascomycota
|
When was it at its peak?
During the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
|
Where in the world does 27% to 40% of HIV patients get PCP?
Thailand
|
What are the antibiotics used?
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, or TMP/SMX which is Bactrim, Cotrim, or Septra.
|
How many people are infected each year?
Most people have successfully fought pneumonia by 3 or 4 years old. However, ¾ of people who got HIV also have PCP.
|
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