Pneumocystis Pneumonia Infection in a Survivor of Paraquat Intoxication

Patients who survived recent paraquat intoxication might be treated with glucocorticoid andcyclophosphamide to avoid further lung fi brosis. Such patients might be susceptible to opportunistic infections. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an important opportunistic lung infection in hematologic malignancy patients on chemotherapy. We report a patient who recently survived paraquat intoxication and presented with acute respiratory insuffi ciency post glucocorticoid and cyclosporine treatment. A fulminant clinical course, and a clear medical history of immunocompromised state draw physician's attention to the possible opportunistic lung infection. PCP infection was confi rmed by a PCP deoxyribonucleic acid test. The symptoms improved markedly after appropriate antibiotics treatment. This report suggests that clinicians should consider PCP infection in patients who develop secondary pneumonia after paraquat intoxication. PCP treatment as part of empirical antibiotics should be added, especially in such patients presented with rapidly progressive course.