Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a patient on etanercept for psoriatic arthritis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
Published on: March 1, 2024
C Lahiff1, O B Khiaron, N Nolan
1Department of Medicine, St. Columcilles Hospital, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland. conorlahiff@yahoo.com
Background:
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a rare form of pneumonia associated with immune-suppression. It is common in patients with AIDS and with a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm(3). We report a case of PCP secondary to immune-suppression in a 41-year-old man with psoriatic arthritis being treated with the immune-modulatory agent etanercept.
Methods:
Diagnosis of PCP was made histologically using tissue obtained via transbronchial biopsy.
Results:
There was a good response to standard treatment with high-dose co-trimoxazole.
Conclusion:
This report highlights a recognised but previously unreported complication of etanercept.
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