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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
Published on: February 15, 2013
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: a cluster of eleven cases
Insights
An unusual cluster of Pneumocystis pneumonia cases occurred, primarily in patients with lymphoma or leukemia. Evidence suggests potential person-to-person transmission, prompting isolation protocols.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection.
- Patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly lymphoma and leukemia, are at increased risk.
- Corticosteroid therapy can further compromise immune function, increasing susceptibility to PCP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an unusual cluster of 11 PCP cases at Memorial Hospital.
- To identify potential risk factors and transmission routes within this cluster.
- To evaluate the role of underlying conditions and medical interventions in PCP development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 11 PCP cases over a 3-month period.
- Analysis of patient demographics, underlying diagnoses (lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease), and treatments (corticosteroids).
- Investigation of potential patient-to-patient or physician-to-patient transmission through contact tracing and serological testing (indirect immunofluorescence).
Main Results:
- Ten of 11 patients had lymphoma or leukemia.
- Seven patients had corticosteroid therapy reduced or stopped before PCP diagnosis.
- Potential transmission suggested by close contact among pediatric patients and shared physician for adult patients; elevated antibody titers found in some healthcare workers.
Conclusions:
- The cluster suggests possible communicability of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Close contact and shared healthcare providers may play a role in transmission.
- Hospital isolation of suspected/proven PCP cases was implemented as a precautionary measure.
Abstract:
An unusual cluster of 11 patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia occurred in a 3-month period at Memorial Hospital, New York. Ten of the 11 patients had lymphoma or leukemia. In 7 patients, corticosteroid therapy was decreased or stopped shortly before pneumocystis pneumonia was diagnosed. The pediatric patients had extensive contact in the outpatient department, and three of them had roomed together, suggesting the possibility of man to man transmission. Tree of 4 adult patients with Hodgkin's disease and pneumocystis pneumonia had the same physician. This physician had an indirect immunofluorescent titer of 1:16, as did an infectious disease resident involved in the care of 6 patients. Three of 9 patients tested showed indirect immunofluorescent titers of 1:16 or above, with rising or falling titers on serial specimens. Although definitive evidence of communicability was not established, patients with suspected or proved pneumocystis pneumonia are now isolated in this hospital.
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