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Pneumocystis jirovecii Colonization in Preterm Newborns With Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Magdalena Szydłowicz1, Barbara Królak-Olejnik2, Sergio L Vargas3

  • 1Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|April 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pneumocystis jirovecii was detected in newborns and mothers, suggesting possible transmission before birth. Infant colonization was linked to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, highlighting its clinical importance.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic pathogen.
  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns (<32 weeks gestation) are highly susceptible to infections.
  • The prevalence and transmission routes of P. jirovecii in VLBW infants are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of P. jirovecii in mother-infant pairs of VLBW newborns.
  • To investigate potential transmission routes, including transplacental transmission.
  • To assess the clinical significance of P. jirovecii colonization in VLBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular and microscopic methods were employed for pathogen detection.
  • Specimens were collected from nasopharyngeal aspirates of newborns and oral washes of mothers.
  • A total of 56 newborns and 34 mothers were included in the study.

Main Results:

  • Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 14% of newborn nasopharyngeal aspirates (8/56).
  • Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 21% of maternal oral washes (7/34).
  • Infants colonized with P. jirovecii showed a higher incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P=0.02) compared to non-colonized infants.

Conclusions:

  • P. jirovecii detection shortly after birth suggests potential transplacental transmission.
  • P. jirovecii colonization may play a role in abnormal lung development in VLBW infants.
  • Early detection and management strategies for P. jirovecii in VLBW infants may be warranted.
Keywords:
Pneumocystis jiroveciibronchopulmonary dysplasiapreterm infantsrespiratory distress syndromevertical transmission

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