Related Experiment Videos
Pneumocystis carinii meningoradiculitis in a patient with AIDS
J L Villanueva1, E Cordero, F J Caballero-Granado
1Infectious Disease Unit and Service of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.
Abstract:
Pneumocystis carinii is a common opportunistic pathogen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is common, while extrapulmonary infections with Pneumocystis carinii have been reported sparingly. The clinical features are frequently nonspecific. The detection of Pneumocystis carinii in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has not been reported thus far. In this report, an unusual case of Pneumocystis carinii meningoradiculitis in an HIV-infected patient who had previously received primary prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is presented.
Insights
Pneumocystis carinii, an opportunistic pathogen, rarely causes extrapulmonary infections in HIV patients. This report details a unique case of P. carinii meningoradiculitis identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pneumocystis carinii is a significant opportunistic pathogen, particularly in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- While Pneumocystis pneumonia is prevalent, extrapulmonary manifestations are uncommon.
- Clinical presentations of P. carinii infections are often nonspecific, complicating diagnosis.
Observation:
- This report presents an atypical case of P. carinii infection.
- The infection manifested as meningoradiculitis, affecting the meninges and nerve roots.
- The affected individual was infected with HIV and had undergone primary prophylaxis.
Findings:
- Pneumocystis carinii was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- This marks the first reported instance of P. carinii detection in CSF.
- The case highlights an unusual extrapulmonary site of infection.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known spectrum of P. carinii infections in HIV-positive individuals.
- It suggests that P. carinii can cause central nervous system infections, even with prophylaxis.
- Further investigation into diagnostic methods and treatment strategies for CNS P. carinii infections is warranted.