In the eastern townships, Province of Quebec: occurrence of pneumocystosis

Three cases of pneumocystosis which occurred in the Quebec Eastern Townships are reported. It seems that in Canada such cases are concentrated in that province. The number of infections caused by this micro-organism is steadily rising and at the present time more cases are reported from Canada and the United States than from Europe. In most cases these patients, children as well as adults, are suffering from an immunologic defect. The authors review morphology, epidemiology and the relationship between host and infecting micro-organism. Clinical diagnosis is possible. Identification of asymptomatic carriers is important, particularly among hospital staff working in nurseries, transplant units and with patients whose condition lowers their immunologic resistance.