Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

15.4K

Risk factors associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in juvenile myositis in North America

Sara E Sabbagh1,2, Jessica Neely3, Albert Chow4,5

  • 1National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA.

Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|September 5, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a severe infection in juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (JIIM) patients, often linked to immunosuppressive therapy and specific clinical features. Prophylaxis may be considered for JIIM patients with anti-MDA5 autoantibodies, digital infarcts, skin ulcerations, or interstitial lung disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) poses significant risks in adult myositis patients.
  • Limited research exists on PJP in juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (JIIM).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors and clinical phenotypes associated with PJP in JIIM patients.
  • To inform potential prophylactic strategies for high-risk JIIM individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A REDCap questionnaire collected data from 13 PJP+ JIIM patients.
  • Myositis features and medications were compared to 147 PJP- JIIM patients from NIH natural history studies.

Main Results:

  • PJP+ patients had higher rates of Asian ancestry, anti-melanoma differentiation associated protein 5 (MDA5) autoantibodies, digital infarcts, skin ulcerations, and interstitial lung disease.
  • PJP+ patients received more pulse steroids, rituximab, and overall immunosuppressive therapy prior to diagnosis.
  • Seven PJP+ patients required intensive care, and four died due to PJP or its complications.

Conclusions:

  • PJP is a severe, potentially fatal infection in JIIM.
  • Risk factors include immunosuppressive therapy, anti-MDA5 autoantibodies, Asian ancestry, digital infarcts, cutaneous ulcerations, and interstitial lung disease.
  • Consider PJP prophylaxis in JIIM patients exhibiting these risk factors.
Abstract

Keywords:
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumoniaanti-MDA5 autoantibodiesinterstitial lung diseasejuvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathiesmyositisopportunistic infections

More Related Videos

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy10:55

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy

Published on: October 31, 2025

509

Related Concept Videos

Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
227
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
2.2K
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.1K
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
601
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
146
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
672