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Ahmadpour E, Valilou S, Ghanizadegan MA, Seyfi R, Hosseini SA, Hatam-Nahavandi K, Hosseini H, Behravan M, Barac A, Morovati H. Global prevalence, mortality, and main characteristics of HIV-associated pneumocystosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297619. [PMID: 38526997 PMCID: PMC10962827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-associated pneumocystosis (HAP) is poorly described on a worldwide scale. We searched related databases between January 2000 and December 2022 for studies reporting HAP. Meta-analysis was performed using StatsDirect (version 2.7.9) and STATA (version 17) according to the random-effects model for DerSimonian and Laird method and metan and metaprop commands, respectively. Twenty-nine studies with 38554 HIV-positive, 79893 HIV-negative, and 4044 HAP populations were included. The pooled prevalence of HAP was 35.4% (95% CI 23.8 to 47.9). In contrast, the pooled prevalence of PCP among HIV-negative patients was 10.16% (95% CI 2 to 25.3). HIV-positive patients are almost 12 times more susceptible to PCP than the HIV-negative population (OR: 11.710; 95% CI: 5.420 to 25.297). The mortality among HAP patients was 52% higher than non-PCP patients (OR 1.522; 95% CI 0.959 to 2.416). HIV-positive men had a 7% higher chance rate for PCP than women (OR 1.073; 95% CI 0.674 to 1.706). Prophylactic (OR: 6.191; 95% CI: 0.945 to 40.545) and antiretroviral therapy (OR 3.356; 95% CI 0.785 to 14.349) were used in HAP patients six and three times more than HIV-positive PCP-negatives, respectively. The control and management strategies should revise and updated by health policy-makers on a worldwide scale. Finally, for better management and understanding of the epidemiology and characteristics of this coinfection, designing further studies is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sevda Valilou
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Rouhollah Seyfi
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Hanieh Hosseini
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahsa Behravan
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aleksandra Barac
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Hamid Morovati
- Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Veintimilla C, Álvarez-Uría A, Martín-Rabadán P, Valerio M, Machado M, Padilla B, Alonso R, Diez C, Muñoz P, Marín M. Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Diagnostic Approach: Real-Life Experience in a Tertiary Centre. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040414. [PMID: 37108869 PMCID: PMC10142180 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in immunocompromised patients entails high mortality and requires adequate laboratory diagnosis. We compared the performance of a real time-PCR assay against the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in the routine of a large microbiology laboratory. Different respiratory samples from HIV and non-HIV-infected patients were included. The retrospective analysis used data from September 2015 to April 2018, which included all samples for which a P. jirovecii test was requested. A total of 299 respiratory samples were tested (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (n = 181), tracheal aspirate (n = 53) and sputum (n = 65)). Forty-eight (16.1%) patients fulfilled the criteria for PJP. Five positive samples (10%) had only colonization. The PCR test was found to have a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96%, 98%, 90% and 99%, compared to 27%, 100%, 100% and 87%, for the IFA, respectively. PJ-PCR sensitivity and specificity were >80% and >90% for all tested respiratory samples. Median cycle threshold values in definite PJP cases were 30 versus 37 in colonized cases (p < 0.05). Thus, the PCR assay is a robust and reliable test for the diagnosis PJP in all respiratory sample types. Ct values of ≥36 could help to exclude PJP diagnosis.
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Matouri R, Aboutalebian S, Nasri E, Sadeghi S, Rostami S, Fakhim H, Ghafel S, Hosseini M, Mousavi S, Rouhi F, Pestechian N, Mirhendi H. Molecular and microscopy detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii in hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1148320. [PMID: 37089605 PMCID: PMC10117983 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1148320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii as an opportunistic pathogen that may endanger predisposed persons, including COVID-19 patients, may help to choose the optimal management. Methods In this study, 585, including 530 COVID-19 patients, with clinical and radiological evidence of respiratory diseases, were investigated for P. jirovecii screening. Clinical specimens were examined by direct microscopy and PCR, and randomly selected positive PCR products were confirmed through DNA sequence analysis. Results Thirty-one (5.3%) samples were positive in P. jirovecii-specific nested-PCR, while by direct microscopic tests, Pneumocystis was observed in 22 (3.76%) samples. Males (61.7%) and patients over 50 years old (75.6%) were more commonly affected than others, and malaise and fatigue (84%), and wheezing (75%) were the most common symptoms, followed by fever (40.48%) and dyspnea (39.51%). Among the Pneumocystis-positive patients, three cases had coinfection with Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger (each n = 1), as documented by direct microscopy, culture, and species identification by PCR-sequencing. Conclusion Pneumocystis pneumonia is still a diagnostic challenge; therefore, additional large-scale studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology of the disease in immunocompromised or COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Matouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shima Aboutalebian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Research Core Facilities Laboratory, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Elahe Nasri
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Sadeghi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Soodabeh Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hamed Fakhim
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Safiyeh Ghafel
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Research Core Facilities Laboratory, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Hosseini
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Research Core Facilities Laboratory, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Mousavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Faezeh Rouhi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nader Pestechian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Mirhendi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Research Core Facilities Laboratory, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- *Correspondence: Hossein Mirhendi, ; orcid.org/0000-0002-1006-4169
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Alsayed AR, Al-Dulaimi A, Alkhatib M, Al Maqbali M, Al-Najjar MAA, Al-Rshaidat MMD. A comprehensive clinical guide for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a missing therapeutic target in HIV-uninfected patients. Expert Rev Respir Med 2022; 16:1167-1190. [PMID: 36440485 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2022.2152332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic, human-specific fungus that causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). PCP symptoms are nonspecific. A patient with P. jirovecii and another lung infection faces a diagnostic challenge. It may be difficult to determine which of these agents is responsible for the clinical symptoms, preventing effective treatment. Diagnostic and treatment efforts have been made more difficult by the rising frequency with which coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and PCP co-occur. AREAS COVERED Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of clinical and pharmacological recommendations along with a literature review of PCP in immunocompromised patients focusing on HIV-uninfected patients. EXPERT OPINION PCP may be masked by identifying co-existing pathogens that are not necessarily responsible for the observed infection. Patients with severe form COVID-19 should be examined for underlying immunodeficiency, and co-infections must be considered as co-infection with P. jirovecii may worsen COVID-19's severity and fatality. PCP should be investigated in patients with PCP risk factors who come with pneumonia and suggestive radiographic symptoms but have not previously received PCP prophylaxis. PCP prophylaxis should be explored in individuals with various conditions that impair the immune system, depending on their PCP risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad R Alsayed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdullah Al-Dulaimi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Alkhatib
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Roma, Italy
| | - Mohammed Al Maqbali
- Department of Nursing Midwifery and Health, Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Mohammad A A Al-Najjar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Kingdom of Jordan
| | - Mamoon M D Al-Rshaidat
- Laboratory for Molecular and Microbial Ecology (LaMME), Department of Biological Sciences, School of Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Zhan Y, Gao X, Li S, Si Y, Li Y, Han X, Sun W, Li Z, Ye F. Development and Evaluation of Rapid and Accurate CRISPR/Cas13-Based RNA Diagnostics for Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:904485. [PMID: 35782118 PMCID: PMC9240425 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.904485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumocystis jirovecii can result in a serious pulmonary infection, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, in immunocompetent hosts. The diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia has long been a major clinical concern, and there are limitations with the currently utilized immunostaining and polymerase chain reaction diagnosis/detection technologies (e.g., insufficient sensitivity and accuracy). Hence, we sought to establish a rapid and RNA-specific transcription mediated amplification and CRISPR/Cas13a-based diagnostics targeted P. jirovecii-mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA. Methods The procedure of the diagnostics included amplification of the extracted RNA samples by transcription mediated amplification, followed by CRISPR/Cas13 detection, and ultimately, the judgment of the results after 30 minutes of fluorescence signal. Later, the diagnostic performance of the CRISPR/Cas13-based diagnostics were tested on the 62 surplus clinical samples. Results This CRISPR/Cas13-based diagnostics achieved limits of detection of approximately 2 copies/µL transcribed RNA templates, with no cross reaction to other respiratory pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. Similar to in-house quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, CRISPR/Cas13-based diagnostics was still positive in 243-fold diluted bronchial alveolar lavage fluid. A preliminary evaluation of 62 surplus bronchial alveolar lavage fluid samples from patients suspected of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia showed that CRISPR/Cas13-based diagnostics achieved a 78.9% sensitivity and a 97.7% specificity in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that the CRISPR/Cas13-based diagnostics technique has good performance for the accurate and specific diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangqing Zhan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Gao
- R&D Department, Hangzhou MatriDx Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hanzhou, China
| | - Shaoqiang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yeqi Si
- R&D Department, Hangzhou MatriDx Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hanzhou, China
| | - Yuanxiang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Han
- R&D Department, Hangzhou MatriDx Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hanzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengtu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Ye
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Feng Ye,
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Liu L, Yuan M, Shi Y, Su X. Clinical Performance of BAL Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequence and Serum (1,3)-β-D-Glucan for Differential Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia and Pneumocystis jirovecii Colonisation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:784236. [PMID: 35004353 PMCID: PMC8727434 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.784236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Differentiating Pneumocystis jirovecii infection from colonisation is crucial for appropriate therapy administration. In this study, we evaluated the performance of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and serum 1,3-β-D-glucan (BDG) tests in differentiating colonisation and infection with P. jirovecii. Methods From January 2018 to March 2021, 47 patients were enrolled in this study at the Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital. The final diagnosis was used as a reference, and cases were classified into the P. jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) group or the P. jirovecii colonisation (PJC) group. Clinical data were recorded. The performances of mNGS and BDG were compared. Result The fungal load significantly differed between patients with PJP and PJC, with median reads of 3,215.79 ± 1,797 vs. 5.61 ± 0.88 in the PJP and PJC groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). BDG also significantly differed between the two groups, with a median titre of 233.60 ± 39.65 pg/ml in the PJP group and 68.48 ± 19.21 pg/ml in the PJC group (P = 0.0006). The area under the curve was 0.973 (95%CI: 0.868–1.007) for mNGS of the BAL and 0.879 (95%CI: 0.769–0.989) for the serum BDG. The optimal threshold value for discriminating P. jirovecii infection from colonisation appeared to be 14 reads (sensitivity, 83.3%; specificity, 95.7%; positive likelihood ratio, 19.2) and BDG = 88.6 pg/ml (sensitivity, 79.2%; specificity, 92.9%; positive likelihood ratio, 18.2). No correlation between mNGS reads and the BDG titre was found in mNGS-positive patients (r2 = 0.0076, P = 0.583). The levels of lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the PJP group than in the PJC group. Conclusion BAL mNGS and serum BDG are useful adjunct tests that can assist with differentiating between colonisation and infection of P. jirovecii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingjuan Yuan
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Central Hospital of Yueyang, Yueyang, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Su
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Hoang MTV, Irinyi L, Hu Y, Schwessinger B, Meyer W. Long-Reads-Based Metagenomics in Clinical Diagnosis With a Special Focus on Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:708550. [PMID: 35069461 PMCID: PMC8770865 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.708550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of the causative infectious agent is essential in the management of infectious diseases, with the ideal diagnostic method being rapid, accurate, and informative, while remaining cost-effective. Traditional diagnostic techniques rely on culturing and cell propagation to isolate and identify the causative pathogen. These techniques are limited by the ability and the time required to grow or propagate an agent in vitro and the facts that identification based on morphological traits are non-specific, insensitive, and reliant on technical expertise. The evolution of next-generation sequencing has revolutionized genomic studies to generate more data at a cheaper cost. These are divided into short- and long-read sequencing technologies, depending on the length of reads generated during sequencing runs. Long-read sequencing also called third-generation sequencing emerged commercially through the instruments released by Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore Technologies, although relying on different sequencing chemistries, with the first one being more accurate both platforms can generate ultra-long sequence reads. Long-read sequencing is capable of entirely spanning previously established genomic identification regions or potentially small whole genomes, drastically improving the accuracy of the identification of pathogens directly from clinical samples. Long-read sequencing may also provide additional important clinical information, such as antimicrobial resistance profiles and epidemiological data from a single sequencing run. While initial applications of long-read sequencing in clinical diagnosis showed that it could be a promising diagnostic technique, it also has highlighted the need for further optimization. In this review, we show the potential long-read sequencing has in clinical diagnosis of fungal infections and discuss the pros and cons of its implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Thuy Vi Hoang
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Laszlo Irinyi
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Infectious Disease Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yiheng Hu
- Research School of Biology, Australia National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Infectious Disease Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Hospital (Research and Education Network), Westmead, NSW, Australia
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Kim D, Kim SB, Jeon S, Kim S, Lee KH, Lee HS, Han SH. No Change of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multicenter Time-Series Analyses. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7110990. [PMID: 34829277 PMCID: PMC8624436 DOI: 10.3390/jof7110990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Consolidated infection control measures imposed by the government and hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp decline of respiratory viruses. Based on the issue of whether Pneumocystis jirovecii could be transmitted by airborne and acquired from the environment, we assessed changes in P. jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) cases in a hospital setting before and after COVID-19. We retrospectively collected data of PCP-confirmed inpatients aged ≥18 years (N = 2922) in four university-affiliated hospitals between January 2015 and June 2021. The index and intervention dates were defined as the first time of P. jirovecii diagnosis and January 2020, respectively. We predicted PCP cases for post-COVID-19 and obtained the difference (residuals) between forecasted and observed cases using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and the Bayesian structural time-series (BSTS) models. Overall, the average of observed PCP cases per month in each year were 36.1 and 47.3 for pre- and post-COVID-19, respectively. The estimate for residuals in the ARIMA model was not significantly different in the total PCP-confirmed inpatients (7.4%, p = 0.765). The forecasted PCP cases by the BSTS model were not significantly different from the observed cases in the post-COVID-19 (−0.6%, 95% credible interval; −9.6~9.1%, p = 0.450). The unprecedented strict non-pharmacological interventions did not affect PCP cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayeong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06273, Korea; (D.K.); (S.K.); (K.H.L.)
| | - Sun Bean Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Goryeodae-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Soyoung Jeon
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06273, Korea;
| | - Subin Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06273, Korea; (D.K.); (S.K.); (K.H.L.)
| | - Kyoung Hwa Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06273, Korea; (D.K.); (S.K.); (K.H.L.)
| | - Hye Sun Lee
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06273, Korea;
- Correspondence: (H.S.L.); (S.H.H.)
| | - Sang Hoon Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06273, Korea; (D.K.); (S.K.); (K.H.L.)
- Correspondence: (H.S.L.); (S.H.H.)
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Recognition of Diagnostic Gaps for Laboratory Diagnosis of Fungal Diseases: Expert Opinion from the Fungal Diagnostics Laboratories Consortium (FDLC). J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e0178420. [PMID: 33504591 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01784-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a rising threat to our immunocompromised patient population, as well as other nonimmunocompromised patients with various medical conditions. However, little progress has been made in the past decade to improve fungal diagnostics. To jointly address this diagnostic challenge, the Fungal Diagnostics Laboratory Consortium (FDLC) was recently created. The FDLC consists of 26 laboratories from the United States and Canada that routinely provide fungal diagnostic services for patient care. A survey of fungal diagnostic capacity among the 26 members of the FDLC was recently completed, identifying the following diagnostic gaps: lack of molecular detection of mucormycosis; lack of an optimal diagnostic algorithm incorporating fungal biomarkers and molecular tools for early and accurate diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia, aspergillosis, candidemia, and endemic mycoses; lack of a standardized molecular approach to identify fungal pathogens directly in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues; lack of robust databases to enhance mold identification with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry; suboptimal diagnostic approaches for mold blood cultures, tissue culture processing for Mucorales, and fungal respiratory cultures for cystic fibrosis patients; inadequate capacity for fungal point-of-care testing to detect and identify new, emerging or underrecognized, rare, or uncommon fungal pathogens; and performance of antifungal susceptibility testing. In this commentary, the FDLC delineates the most pressing unmet diagnostic needs and provides expert opinion on how to fulfill them. Most importantly, the FDLC provides a robust laboratory network to tackle these diagnostic gaps and ultimately to improve and enhance the clinical laboratory's capability to rapidly and accurately diagnose fungal infections.
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Morjaria S, Frame J, Franco-Garcia A, Geyer A, Kamboj M, Babady NE. Clinical Performance of (1,3) Beta-D Glucan for the Diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) in Cancer Patients Tested With PCP Polymerase Chain Reaction. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 69:1303-1309. [PMID: 30561560 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy1072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum (1,3)-beta-D glucan (BDG) is increasingly used to guide the management of suspected Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). BDG lacks specificity for PCP, and its clinical performance in high-risk cancer patients has not been fully assessed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for PCP detection is highly sensitive, but cannot differentiate between colonization and infection. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of serum BDG in conjunction with PCP PCR on respiratory samples in patients with cancer and unexplained lung infiltrates. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients evaluated for PCP at our institution from 2012 to 2015, using serum BDG and PCP PCR. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the serum BDG at different thresholds were evaluated using PCP PCR alone or in conjunction with clinical presentation in PCP PCR-positive patients. RESULTS With PCP PCR alone as the reference method, BDG (≥80 pg/mL) had a sensitivity of 69.8%, specificity of 81.2%, PPV of 34.6%, and NPV of 95.2% for PCP. At ≥200 pg/mL in patients with a positive PCR and a compatible PCP clinical syndrome, BDG had a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, and NPV of 52.0% for PCP. CONCLUSIONS Patients negative by both BDG and PCR were unlikely to have PCP. In patients with a compatible clinical syndrome for PCP, higher BDG values (>200 pg/mL) were consistently associated with clinically-significant PCP infections among PCP PCR-positive oncology patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sejal Morjaria
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - John Frame
- Department of Quality and Safety, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexandra Franco-Garcia
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexander Geyer
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.,Pulmonary Service, Department of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Mini Kamboj
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - N Esther Babady
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Clinical Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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11
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Molecular Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia by Use of Oral Wash Samples in Immunocompromised Patients: Usefulness and Importance of the DNA Target. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:JCM.01287-19. [PMID: 31578265 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01287-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an important cause of pneumonia in the HIV-negative immunocompromised population, for whom the fungal load is low, the differential diagnosis is difficult, and a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sample is often not readily available. Molecular techniques have improved the microbiological diagnosis in this scenario. The usefulness of two real-time PCR techniques targeting nuclear single-copy and mitochondrial multicopy genes, respectively, applied to oral wash specimens (OW) for PJP diagnosis was assessed, and its accuracy was compared to a BAL fluid-based diagnosis. Immunocompromised patients having PJP in the differential diagnosis of an acute respiratory episode, and from whom OW and BAL or lung biopsy specimens were obtained ≤48 h apart, were retrospectively included. PCRs targeting the dihydropteroate synthase gene (DHPS) and the mitochondrial small-subunit (mtSSU) rRNA gene were performed in paired OW-BAL specimens. Thirty-six patients were included (88.6% HIV negative). Fifteen patients (41.7%) were classified as PJP, and a further 8 were considered P. jirovecii colonized. Quantification of DHPS and mtSSU in BAL fluid showed an accuracy of 96.9% and 93.0%, respectively, for PJP diagnosis, whereas a qualitative approach performed better when applied to OW (accuracy, 91.7%) irrespective of the PCR target studied (kappa = 1). Qualitative molecular diagnosis applied to OW showed an excellent performance for PJP diagnosis regardless of the target studied, being easier to interpret than the quantitative approach needed for BAL fluid.
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12
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Abastabar M, Mosayebi E, Shokohi T, Hedayati MT, Jabari Amiri MR, Seifi Z, Haghani I, Aliyali M, Saber S, Sheikholeslami MF. A multi-centered study of Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization in patients with respiratory disorders: Is there a colonization trend in the elderly? Curr Med Mycol 2019; 5:19-25. [PMID: 31850392 PMCID: PMC6910707 DOI: 10.18502/cmm.5.3.1742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization plays a key role in the progression of pulmonary infection. However, there are limited data regarding the colonization of these fungi in the patients residing in different regions of Iran. Regarding this, the present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of P. jirovecii colonization in non-HIV-infected patients with respiratory failure introduced by physicians using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 136 samples obtained from 136 patients with respiratory disorders referring to different hospitals in the capital and north of Iran during 2013-2015. The samples were collected using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL; n=121) and sputum induction (n=15). Nested PCR method targeting mtLSU rRNA gene was used for the detection of P. jirovecii DNA in the specimens. Results: The nested PCR analysis resulted in the detection of P. jirovecii DNA in 32 (23.5%) patients. The mean age of the participants was 49.04±11.94 years (age range: 14-90 years). The results revealed no correlation between Pneumocystis colonization and gender. The studied patients were divided into two groups of immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. In the regard, 25.4% of the patients with detectable P. jirovecii DNA were immunocompromised and had cancer, organ transplantation, asthma, sarcoidosis, dermatomyositis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary vasculitis. On the other hand, Pneumocystis DNA was detected in 21.8% of the immunocompetent patients. Frequencies of P. jirovecii DNA detection in the patients with tuberculosis, hydatid cyst, and unknown underlying diseases were obtained as 20.8%, 25%, and 22%, respectively. The prevalence of Pneumocystis colonization varied based on age. In this regard, P. jirovecii colonization was more prevalent in patients aged above 70 years. Conclusion: As the findings indicated, non-HIV-infected patients, especially the elderly, had a high prevalence of P. jirovecii colonization. Therefore, these patients are probably a potential source of infection for others. Regarding this, it is of paramount importance to adopt monitoring and prophylactic measures to reduce this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Abastabar
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Elham Mosayebi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Shokohi
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad T Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad R Jabari Amiri
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Seifi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Iman Haghani
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Masoud Aliyali
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sassan Saber
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam-Fatemeh Sheikholeslami
- Department of Molecular Pathology, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Biology, Dr. Khosroshahi Pathobiology Laboratory, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Fata A, Abdollahi B, Rezaeetalab F, Attaran D, Najjari M, Najafzadeh MJ. Molecular diagnosis and genotyping of Pneumocystis jirovecii in bronchoalveolar lavage samples obtained from patients with pulmonary disorder. Curr Med Mycol 2019; 5:13-18. [PMID: 31850391 PMCID: PMC6910711 DOI: 10.18502/cmm.5.3.1741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common and life-threatening fungal diseases in patients with human immunodeficiency, treated with immunosuppressive medications. Immunocompetent people can also be a spreading agent for PCP. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to diagnose and identify Pneumocystis jirovecii in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples obtained from patients with pulmonary disorder using a molecular method. Materials and Methods: For the purpose of the study, BAL samples (n=138) were collected from patients, undergoing bronchoscopy at the different departments of university hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, during a period of one year (i.e., April 2014 until May 2015). Giemsa staining and molecular identification were carried out for each sample. The samples were also subjected to nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and genotyping based on mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit (mtLSU rRNA) of P. jirovecii. The phylogenic tree was constructed by MEGA6 software. Results: The results of direct microscopic examination revealed the presence of P. jirovecii in 3 (2.2%) out of 138 samples; in addition, nested PCR and sequencing led to the detection of species in 17 (12.3%) samples. Out of patients with positive results, 10 (25%) and 7 (7.1%) cases were immunosuppressed and immunocompetent, respectively. The most common clinical symptoms among patients with pneumocystis were fever, dyspnea, and dry cough. In addition, genotypes III and II were the dominant genotypes in our dataset. Conclusion: Nested PCR and sequencing methods showed higher sensitivity and specificity as compared with a direct staining technique. Genotype III was identified as the most dominant type in patients with pulmonary disorder in Mashhad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolmajid Fata
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bahareh Abdollahi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fariba Rezaeetalab
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Lung Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Davood Attaran
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Lung Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Najjari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad J Najafzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Cancer Molecular Pathology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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14
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Huh HJ, Lim KR, Ki CS, Huh K, Shim HJ, Song DJ, Kim YJ, Chung DR, Lee NY. Comparative Evaluation Between the RealStar Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR Kit and the AmpliSens Pneumocystis jirovecii ( carinii)-FRT PCR Kit for Detecting P. jirovecii in Non-HIV Immunocompromised Patients. Ann Lab Med 2019; 39:176-182. [PMID: 30430780 PMCID: PMC6240529 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2019.39.2.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Real-time PCR is more sensitive than microscopic examination for detecting Pneumocystis jirovecii. We compared the performance of two assays for detecting P. jirovecii DNA: the RealStar Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR Kit 1.0 CE (Altona Diagnostics, Hamburg, Germany) and the AmpliSens Pneumocystis jirovecii (carinii)-FRT PCR kit (InterLabService Ltd., Moscow, Russia). METHODS We used 159 samples from the lower respiratory tract (112 bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] fluid, 37 sputum, and 10 endotracheal aspirate [ETA] samples) of non-HIV immunocompromised patients. Nested PCR and sequencing were used to resolve discordant results. The performance of the two assays was evaluated according to clinical categories (clinical Pneumocystis pneumonia [PCP], possible PCP, or unlikely PCP) based on clinical and radiological observations. RESULTS The positive and negative percent agreement values were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.4-100%) and 96.6% (95% CI, 90.9-98.9%), respectively, and kappa was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.84-0.99). P. jirovecii DNA load was significantly higher in the clinical PCP group than in the other groups (P<0.05). When stratified by sample type, the positive rate for BAL fluids from the clinical PCP group was 100% using either assay, whereas the positive rate for sputum/ETA samples was only 20%. CONCLUSIONS The two assays showed similar diagnostic performance and detected low P. jirovecii burden in BAL fluids. Both assays may be useful as routine methods for detecting P. jirovecii DNA in a clinical laboratory setting, though their results should be interpreted considering sample type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Jae Huh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung Ree Lim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Kyungmin Huh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyang Jin Shim
- Center for Clinical Medicine, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Joon Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yae Jean Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Doo Ryeon Chung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Center for Infection Prevention and Control, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nam Yong Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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15
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Absence of dihydropteroate synthase gene mutations in Pneumocystis jirovecii strains isolated from Aegean region of Turkey. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3103-3108. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6004-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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16
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Lee HY, Rhee CK, Choi JY, Lee HY, Lee JW, Lee DG. Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus pneumonia by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using bronchial washing fluid from patients with hematologic malignancies. Oncotarget 2018; 8:39736-39745. [PMID: 28061469 PMCID: PMC5503648 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia is increasing in patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies. The utility of CMV-DNA viral load measurement has not been standardized, and viral cut-off values have not been established. This study was designed to investigate the utility of CMV quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using bronchial washing fluid. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the microbiologic and pathologic results of bronchial washing fluid and biopsy specimens in addition to the patients' clinical characteristics. Results A total of 565 CMV qRT-PCR assays were performed using bronchial washing fluid from patients with hematologic malignancies. Among them, 101 were positive for CMV by qRT-PCR; of these, 24 were diagnosed with CMV pneumonia and 70 with CMV infection, and 7 were excluded due to a diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis rather than viral pneumonia. The median CMV load determined by qPCR was 1.8 × 105 copies/mL (3.6 103-1.5 × 108) in CMV pneumonia patients and 3.0 × 103 copies/mL (5.0 × 102-1.1 × 105) in those diagnosed with CMV infection (P < 0.01). Using the ROC curve, the optimal inflection points were 18,900 copies/mL (137,970 IU/mL) in post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT) patients, 316,415 copies/mL (2,309,825 IU/mL) in no-BMT patients and 28,774 copies/mL (210,054 IU/mL) in all patients. Conclusions The CMV titers in bronchial washing fluid determined by qRT-PCR differed significantly between patients diagnosed with CMV pneumonia and those with CMV infection. The viral cut-off values in bronchial washing fluid were suggested for the diagnosis of CMV pneumonia, which were different depending on the BMT status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwa Young Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chin Kook Rhee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Young Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hea Yon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Wook Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.,The Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Gun Lee
- The Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.,Vaccine Bio Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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17
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Özkoç S, Köker M, Önder M, Delibaş SB. Prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization in autopsy cases in Turkey. J Med Microbiol 2016; 65:1152-1157. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Soykan Özkoç
- Department of Parasitology, Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Murat Köker
- Izmir Group Chairman Morgue Department, Council of Forensic Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Önder
- Izmir Group Chairman Morgue Department, Council of Forensic Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Songül Bayram Delibaş
- Department of Parasitology, Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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18
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Alanio A, Hauser PM, Lagrou K, Melchers WJG, Helweg-Larsen J, Matos O, Cesaro S, Maschmeyer G, Einsele H, Donnelly JP, Cordonnier C, Maertens J, Bretagne S. ECIL guidelines for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients with haematological malignancies and stem cell transplant recipients. J Antimicrob Chemother 2016; 71:2386-96. [PMID: 27550991 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkw156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fifth European Conference on Infections in Leukaemia (ECIL-5) convened a meeting to establish evidence-based recommendations for using tests to diagnose Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in adult patients with haematological malignancies. Immunofluorescence assays are recommended as the most sensitive microscopic method (recommendation A-II: ). Real-time PCR is recommended for the routine diagnosis of PCP ( A-II: ). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is recommended as the best specimen as it yields good negative predictive value ( A-II: ). Non-invasive specimens can be suitable alternatives ( B-II: ), acknowledging that PCP cannot be ruled out in case of a negative PCR result ( A-II: ). Detecting β-d-glucan in serum can contribute to the diagnosis but not the follow-up of PCP ( A-II: ). A negative serum β-d-glucan result can exclude PCP in a patient at risk ( A-II: ), whereas a positive test result may indicate other fungal infections. Genotyping using multilocus sequence markers can be used to investigate suspected outbreaks ( A-II: ). The routine detection of dihydropteroate synthase mutations in cases of treatment failure is not recommended ( B-II: ) since these mutations do not affect response to high-dose co-trimoxazole. The clinical utility of these diagnostic tests for the early management of PCP should be further assessed in prospective, randomized interventional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Alanio
- Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Groupe Hospitalier Lariboisière Saint-Louis Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, and Institut Pasteur, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, CNRS URA3012, Centre National de Référence Mycoses Invasives et Antifongiques, Paris, France
| | - Philippe M Hauser
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium and National Reference Center for Mycosis, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Willem J G Melchers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jannik Helweg-Larsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet-Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Olga Matos
- Medical Parasitology Unit, Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Simone Cesaro
- Hematology Department, Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Policlinico G. B. Rossi, Verona, Italy
| | - Georg Maschmeyer
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, Ernst-von-Bergmann Klinikum, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Julius Maximilians Universitaet, Würzburg, Germany
| | - J Peter Donnelly
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine Cordonnier
- Hematology Department, Henri Mondor Hospital, APHP and Université Paris-Est-Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Johan Maertens
- Hematology Department, University Hospital Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Bretagne
- Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Groupe Hospitalier Lariboisière Saint-Louis Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, and Institut Pasteur, Unité de Mycologie Moléculaire, CNRS URA3012, Centre National de Référence Mycoses Invasives et Antifongiques, Paris, France
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19
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Song Y, Ren Y, Wang X, Li R. Recent Advances in the Diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia. Med Mycol J 2016; 57:E111-E116. [DOI: 10.3314/mmj.16-00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yinggai Song
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses
| | - Yi Ren
- Beijing Tropical Medical Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Xiaowen Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses
| | - Ruoyu Li
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital
- Research Center for Medical Mycology, Peking University
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses
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20
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Comparison of 2 real-time PCR assays for diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and non-HIV immunocompromised patients. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2015; 82:143-7. [PMID: 25801778 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A total of 120 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients, positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii by an "in house" real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were evaluated by the Bio-Evolution Pneumocystis real-time PCR, a commercial quantitative assay. Patients were classified in 2 categories based on clinical and radiological findings: definite and unlikely Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). For the "in house" PCR, cycle threshold 34 was established as cut-off value to discriminate definite PCP from unlikely PCP with 65% and 85% of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. For the Bio-Evolution quantitative PCR, a cut-off value of 2.8×10(5)copies/mL was defined with 72% and 82% of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Overlapped zones of results for definite and unlikely PCP were observed. Quantitative PCR is probably a useful tool for PCP diagnosis. However, for optimal management of PCP in non-HIV immunocompromised patients, operational thresholds should be assessed according to underlying diseases and other clinical and radiological parameters.
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21
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Molecular and nonmolecular diagnostic methods for invasive fungal infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2015; 27:490-526. [PMID: 24982319 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00091-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections constitute a serious threat to an ever-growing population of immunocompromised individuals and other individuals at risk. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as histopathology and culture, which are still considered the gold standards, have low sensitivity, which underscores the need for the development of new means of detecting fungal infectious agents. Indeed, novel serologic and molecular techniques have been developed and are currently under clinical evaluation. Tests like the galactomannan antigen test for aspergillosis and the β-glucan test for invasive Candida spp. and molds, as well as other antigen and antibody tests, for Cryptococcus spp., Pneumocystis spp., and dimorphic fungi, have already been established as important diagnostic approaches and are implemented in routine clinical practice. On the other hand, PCR and other molecular approaches, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), have proved promising in clinical trials but still need to undergo standardization before their clinical use can become widespread. The purpose of this review is to highlight the different diagnostic approaches that are currently utilized or under development for invasive fungal infections and to identify their performance characteristics and the challenges associated with their use.
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22
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Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia: Role of β-D-Glucan Detection and PCR. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-014-0198-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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23
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Kim SW, Rhee CK, Kang HS, Lee HY, Kang JY, Kim SJ, Kim SC, Lee SY, Kim YK, Lee JW. Diagnostic value of bronchoscopy in patients with hematologic malignancy and pulmonary infiltrates. Ann Hematol 2014; 94:153-9. [PMID: 25062720 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-014-2172-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancy. Bronchoscopy is at present still the traditional first investigation in immunosuppressed patients that have developed pulmonary infiltrates. There is limited data available on the validity of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to determine the etiology of pulmonary infiltrates with concurrent hematologic malignancy. We retrospectively analyzed the microbiological results of 206 bronchoscopic examinations and treatment changes used in 187 patients with hematologic malignancy and pulmonary infiltrates. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses were found in 85 (41.3 %), 49 (23.8 %), and 55 (28.6 %) of cases, respectively, and overall yield of bronchoscopy was 65.0 %. We compared the microbiological findings with respect to neutropenia, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) status, and the type of malignancy. There were significantly more bacterial and viral infections detected in post-HSCT patients, and more viruses were detected in patients without neutropenia. Galactomannan (GM) was measured in 149 BAL samples. With a GM index threshold of ≥0.5, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) of the BAL GM assay were 93.94 %, 86.21 %, 65.96 %, and 98.04 %, respectively. Treatment was modified in 62 cases (30.1 %). There was no significant relationship of treatment modification with the underlying disease, HSCT, or neutropenia. Bronchoscopy with BAL is a valuable diagnostic tool to determine the etiology and appropriate treatment in patients with hematologic malignancy and pulmonary infiltrates. A BAL GM test is recommended when invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sei Won Kim
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
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Radhakrishnan D, Yamashita C, Gillio-Meina C, Fraser DD. Translational research in pediatrics III: bronchoalveolar lavage. Pediatrics 2014; 134:135-54. [PMID: 24982109 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-1911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of flexible bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for the care of children with airway and pulmonary diseases is well established, with collected BAL fluid most often used clinically for microbiologic pathogen identification and cellular analyses. More recently, powerful analytic research methods have been used to investigate BAL samples to better understand the pathophysiological basis of pediatric respiratory disease. Investigations have focused on the cellular components contained in BAL fluid, such as macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells, as well as the noncellular components such as serum molecules, inflammatory proteins, and surfactant. Molecular techniques are frequently used to investigate BAL fluid for the presence of infectious pathologies and for cellular gene expression. Recent advances in proteomics allow identification of multiple protein expression patterns linked to specific respiratory diseases, whereas newer analytic techniques allow for investigations on surfactant quantification and function. These translational research studies on BAL fluid have aided our understanding of pulmonary inflammation and the injury/repair responses in children. We review the ethics and practices for the execution of BAL in children for translational research purposes, with an emphasis on the optimal handling and processing of BAL samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhenuka Radhakrishnan
- Departments of Pediatrics,Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cory Yamashita
- Medicine,Centre for Critical Illness Research, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; andPhysiology and Pharmacology, and
| | | | - Douglas D Fraser
- Departments of Pediatrics,Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada;Centre for Critical Illness Research, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; andPhysiology and Pharmacology, andClinical Neurologic Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada;Translational Research Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
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Lingaratnam SM, Slavin MA, Thursky KA, Teh BW, Haeusler GM, Seymour JF, Rischin D, Worth LJ. Pneumocystis jiroveciipneumonia associated with gemcitabine chemotherapy: experience at an Australian center and recommendations for targeted prophylaxis. Leuk Lymphoma 2014; 56:157-62. [DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2014.911861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Morrow BM, Samuel CM, Zampoli M, Whitelaw A, Zar HJ. Pneumocystis pneumonia in South African children diagnosed by molecular methods. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:26. [PMID: 24410938 PMCID: PMC3892044 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an important cause of hospitalization and mortality in HIV-infected children. However, the incidence of PCP has been underestimated due to poor sensitivity of diagnostic tests. The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for pneumocystis has enabled more reliable diagnosis. This study describes the incidence, clinical features and outcome of PCP in South African children diagnosed using PCR. Methods A prospective study of children hospitalised in South Africa with suspected PCP was done from November 2006 to August 2008. Clinical, laboratory and radiological information were collected. Lower respiratory tract specimens were obtained for PCP immunofluorescence (IF), real- time PCR for pneumocystis, bacterial and mycobacterial culture. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were taken for immunofluorescence (IF), real-time PCR for pneumocystis and PCR for respiratory viruses. A blood specimen for bacterial culture and for cytomegalovirus PCR was taken. Children were followed for the duration of their hospitalisation and the outcome was recorded. Results 202 children [median (interquartile range, IQR) age 3.2 (2.1– 4.6) months] were enrolled; 124 (61.4%) were HIV infected. PCP was identified in 109 (54%) children using PCR, compared to 43 (21%) using IF and Grocott staining (p < 0.0001). Most PCP cases (88, 81%) occurred in HIV-infected children. All 21 cases (19%) occurring in HIV- negative children had another risk factor for PCP. On logistic regression, predictive factors for PCP were HIV infection, lack of fever, high respiratory rate and low oxygen saturation whilst cotrimoxazole prophylaxis was protective (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.5; p < 0.002). The case fatality of children with PCP was higher than those without PCP (32.1% versus 17.2%; relative risk 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 – 3.15). Amongst HIV-infected children, a CD4 less than 15% was the only independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions The diagnostic yield for PCP is more than 2.5 times higher on PCR than other detection methods. PCP is a very common cause of severe hypoxic pneumonia and is associated with high mortality in HIV-infected African infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda M Morrow
- Department of Paediatics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital (RCWMCH), University of Cape Town, 5th Floor Institute of Child Health Building, Klipfontein Road, Rondebosch 7700, Cape Town, South Africa.
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27
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Djawe K, Daly KR, Levin L, Zar HJ, Walzer PD. Humoral immune responses to Pneumocystis jirovecii antigens in HIV-infected and uninfected young children with pneumocystis pneumonia. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82783. [PMID: 24386119 PMCID: PMC3873266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Humoral immune responses in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and uninfected children with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) are poorly understood. Methods Consecutive children hospitalized with acute pneumonia, tachypnea, and hypoxia in South Africa were investigated for PcP, which was diagnosed by real-time polymerase chain reaction on lower respiratory tract specimens. Serum antibody responses to recombinant fragments of the carboxyl terminus of Pneumocystis jirovecii major surface glycoprotein (MsgC) were analyzed. Results 149 children were enrolled of whom 96 (64%) were HIV-infected. PcP occurred in 69 (72%) of HIV-infected and 14 (26%) of HIV-uninfected children. HIV-infected children with PcP had significantly decreased IgG antibodies to MsgC compared to HIV-infected patients without PcP, but had similar IgM antibodies. In contrast, HIV-uninfected children with PcP showed no change in IgG antibodies to MsgC, but had significantly increased IgM antibodies compared to HIV-uninfected children without PCP. Age was an independent predictor of high IgG antibodies, whereas PcP was a predictor of low IgG antibodies and high IgM antibodies. IgG and IgM antibody levels to the most closely related MsgC fragments were predictors of survival from PcP. Conclusions Young HIV-infected children with PcP have significantly impaired humoral immune responses to MsgC, whereas HIV-uninfected children with PcP can develop active humoral immune responses. The children also exhibit a complex relationship between specific host factors and antibody levels to MsgC fragments that may be related to survival from PcP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kpandja Djawe
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kieran R. Daly
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Linda Levin
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter D. Walzer
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Evaluation of PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a bivariate meta-analysis and systematic review. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73099. [PMID: 24023814 PMCID: PMC3762835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a promising tool, PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) has not been accepted as a diagnostic criterion for PJP. OBJECTIVE We undertook a systematic review of published studies to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PCR assays in BALF for PJP. METHODS Eligible studies from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science reporting PCR assays in BALF for diagnosing PJP were identified. A bivariate meta-analysis of the method's sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed. The post-test probability was performed to evaluate clinical usefulness. A summary receiver operating characteristics (SROC) curve was used to evaluate overall performance. Subgroup analyses were carried out to analysis the potential heterogeneity. RESULTS Sixteen studies published between 1994 and 2012 were included. The summary sensitivity and specificity values (95% CI) of PCR in BALF for diagnosis of PJP were 98.3% (91.3%-99.7%) and 91.0% (82.7%-95.5%), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 10.894 (5.569-21.309) and 0.018 (0.003-0.099), respectively. In a setting of 20% prevalence of PJP, the probability of PJP would be over 3-fold if the BALF-PCR test was positive, and the probability of PJP would be less than 0.5% if it was negative. The area under the SROC curve was 0.98 (0.97-0.99). CONCLUSIONS The method of PCR in BALF shows high sensitivity and good specificity for the diagnosis of PJP. However, clinical practice for the diagnosis of PJP should consider the consistent respiratory symptoms, radiographic changes and laboratory findings of the suspected patients.
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