Prophylaxis and treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Although Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) can occur in any patient with severe impairment of immunity, there has been a sharp rise in incidence with the spread of human immunodeficiency virus through the USA and Western Europe, where nearly 80% of patients with HIV infection have at least one episode of PCP during their lifetime (Murray et al, 1984).