Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia without a compromised illness

Pneumocystis pneumonia in intensive care: clinical spectrum, prophylaxis patterns, antibiotic treatment delay impact, and role of corticosteroids. A French multicentre prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Severe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) requiring intensive care has been the subject of few prospective studies. It is unclear whether delayed curative antibiotic therapy may impact survival in these severe forms of PJP. The impact of corticosteroid therapy combined with antibiotics is also unclear.

METHODS

This multicentre, prospective observational study involving 49 adult intensive care units (ICUs) in France was designed to evaluate the severity, the clinical spectrum, and outcomes of patients with severe PJP, and to assess the association between delayed curative antibiotic treatment and adjunctive corticosteroid therapy with mortality.

RESULTS

We included 158 patients with PJP from September 2020 to August 2022. Their main reason for admission was acute respiratory failure (n = 150, 94.9%). 12% of them received antibiotic prophylaxis for PJP before ICU admission. The ICU, hospital, and 6-month mortality were 31.6%, 35.4%, and 40.5%, respectively. Using time-to-event analysis with a propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weighting, the initiation of curative antibiotic treatment after 96 h of ICU admission was associated with faster occurrence of death [time ratio: 6.75; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.48-30.82; P = 0.014]. The use of corticosteroids for PJP was associated with faster occurrence of death (time ratio: 2.48; 95% CI 1.01-6.08; P = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that few patients with PJP admitted to intensive care received prophylactic antibiotic therapy, that delay in curative antibiotic treatment was common and that both delay in curative antibiotic treatment and adjunctive corticosteroids for PJP were associated with accelerated mortality.

Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in HIV-Negative, Non-transplant Patients: Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Purpose of Review

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic fungal infection that is increasingly seen in HIV-negative patients with immune compromise due to other etiologies. We lack comprehensive clinical recommendations for this population.

Recent Findings

In non-HIV cases, PJP has a mortality rate of up to 50%, which is unacceptable despite the presence of safe and effective prophylaxis and therapy. Steroid use is one of the most common risk factors for disease development. New data suggests that lower doses of the preferred treatment regimen, TMP-SMX, may be equally effective for treatment while limiting side effects. While commonly used, the benefit of corticosteroids for the treatment of PJP has recently been called into question, with a recent multicenter cohort demonstrating no benefit among solid organ transplant recipients.

Summary

A high suspicion of PJP in individuals with pneumonia during immunosuppressant use is crucial. Therapeutic options are evolving to decrease potential side effects while maintaining efficacy in this highly morbid disease.

Pneumocystis pneumonia in French intensive care units in 2013-2019: mortality and immunocompromised conditions

PURPOSE

The recent epidemiology of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the associated spectrum of immunocompromising conditions are poorly described.

METHODS

We analyzed all adult PCP cases admitted to French ICUs via the French medical database system (PMSI), over the period from 2013 to 2019.

RESULTS

French ICUs admitted a total of 4055 adult patients with PCP. Among all hospitalized PCP cases, the proportion requiring ICU admission increased from 17.8 in 2014 to 21.3% in 2019 (P < 0.001). The incidence of severe PCP rose from 0.85 in 2013 to 1.32/100,000 adult inhabitants in 2019 (P < 0.0001), primarily due to the proportion of HIV-negative patients that increased from 60.6% to 74.4% (P < 0.0001). Meanwhile, the annual number of severe PCP cases among patients with HIV infection remained stable over the years. In-hospital mortality of severe PCP cases was 28.5% in patients with HIV infection and 49.7% in patients without. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that patients with HIV infection had a lower adjusted risk of death than patients without HIV infection (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.30, 95% confidence interval [95CI]: 0.17-0.55). Comorbidities or conditions strongly associated with hospital mortality included the patient's age, Simplified Acute Physiologic Score II, congestive heart failure, coagulopathy, solid organ cancer, and cirrhosis. A vast array of autoimmune inflammatory diseases affected 19.9% of HIV-negative patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of PCP cases requiring ICU admission in France has risen sharply. While the yearly count of severe PCP cases in HIV-infected patients has remained steady, this rise predominantly affects cancer patients, with a recent surge observed in patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases, affecting one in five individuals.

Protocol for the systematic review of the Pneumocystis jirovecii-associated pneumonia in non-HIV immunocompromised patients

INTRODUCTION

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a well-known and frequent opportunistic infection in HIV patients. However, there has been an increase in the number of reports of PJP in other immunosuppressed patients with autoimmune inflammatory disorders or because of chemotherapy and high doses of steroids, especially when used in combination as part of immunosuppressive therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Despite the increasing importance of PJP in non-HIV patients, there is a lack of comprehensive and updated information on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, microbiology, treatments, and prophylaxis of this infection in this population. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to synthesize information on these aspects, from a perspective of evidence-based medicine.

METHODS

The protocol is prepared following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA-P) guidelines. We will perform a systematic review of literature published between January 2010 and July 2023, using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. In addition, manual searches will be carried out through related articles, and references to included articles. The main findings and clinical outcomes were extracted from all the eligible studies with a standardized instrument. Two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts, review full texts, and collect data. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion, and a third reviewer will decide if there is no consensus. We will synthesize the results using a narrative or a meta-analytic approach, depending on the heterogeneity of the studies.

EXPECTED RESULTS

It is expected that this systematic review will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the state-of-the-art of PJP in non-HIV patients. Furthermore, the study will highlight possible gaps in knowledge that should be addressed through new research.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we present the protocol for a systematic review which will consider all existing evidence from peer-reviewed publication sources relevant to the primary and secondary outcomes related to diagnosing and managing PJP in non-HIV patients.

Global prevalence, mortality, and main characteristics of HIV-associated pneumocystosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a healthy immunocompetent patient: A case report and literature review

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, typically an opportunistic infection, is commonly associated with risk factors such as low CD4+ lymphocyte count, underlying malignancies, organ transplantation, or immunosuppressive medications. However, occurrences in healthy individuals without known risk factors are exceptionally rare and sparsely documented. In our retrospective analysis of a 42-year-old male without past medical history at Abderrahmane Mami Hospital, Tunisia, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia was diagnosed. The patient presented with fever, productive cough, hemoptysis, and a decline in general health. Clinical examination revealed fever and hypoxemia, and imaging studies demonstrated bilateral necrotic alveolar opacities. Despite empirical antibiotics, nonresponse necessitated bronchoscopy, confirming Pneumocystis jirovecii. Treatment with oral Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim yielded excellent outcomes. This case highlights the potential occurrence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in immunocompetent individuals, underscoring the importance of direct microbiological methods in assessing suggestive clinical and radiological features.

Relationship between clinical features and droplet digital PCR copy number in non-HIV patients with pneumocystis pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a novel assay to detect pneumocystis jjrovecii (Pj) which has been defined to be more sensitive than qPCR in recent studies. We aimed to explore whether clinical features of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) were associated with ddPCR copy numbers of Pj.

METHODS

A total of 48 PCP patients were retrospectively included. Pj detection was implemented by ddPCR assay within 4 h. Bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) samples were collected from 48 patients with molecular diagnosis as PCP via metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) or quantitative PCR detection. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to screen out possible indicators for the severity of PCP. The patients were divided into two groups according to ddPCR copy numbers, and their clinical features were further analyzed.

RESULTS

Pj loading was a pro rata increase with serum (1,3)-beta-D glucan, D-dimmer, neutrophil percentage, procalcitonin and BALF polymorphonuclear leucocyte percentage, while negative correlation with albumin, PaO2/FiO2, BALF cell count, and BALF lymphocyte percentage. D-dimmer and ddPCR copy number of Pj were independent indicators for moderate/severe PCP patients with PaO2/FiO2 lower than 300. We made a ROC analysis of ddPCR copy number of Pj for PaO2/FiO2 index and grouped the patients according to the cut-off value (2.75). The high copy numbers group was characterized by higher level of inflammatory markers. Compared to low copy number group, there was lower level of the total cell count while higher level of polymorphonuclear leucocyte percentage in BALF in the high copy numbers group. Different from patients with high copy numbers, those with high copy numbers had a tendency to develop more severe complications and required advanced respiratory support.

CONCLUSION

The scenarios of patients infected with high ddPCR copy numbers of Pj showed more adverse clinical conditions. Pj loading could reflect the severity of PCP to some extent.

Outcomes and factors contributing to poor prognosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in HIV-negative patients: a cross-sectional retrospective study in a Chinese single center

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a life-threatening opportunistic infection mainly occurring in immunocompromised patients. Almost half of the 30 HIV-negative patients enrolled in this study from 2016-2020 in a Chinese single-center contracted 17 hematological malignancies, and 25 received long-term systemic corticosteroids. Only 4 patients received prophylaxis. The overall mortality was 30%. Patients with older age (> 43 years), dyspnea, and LDH > 404U/L had significantly higher risk of developing into a severe form. LDH > 424 U/L, PaO₂ < 60 mmHg, monocyte < 0.2 × 10^9/L, and lymphocyte < 0.3 × 10^9/L were factors contributing to a poor survival outcome.

Prognostic Analysis of Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia in Interstitial Lung Disease Patients: A Retrospective Clinical Study

(1) Background: The clinical characteristics and the prognostic factors of HIV-negative Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) patients (non-HIV-PJP) with interstitial lung disease (ILD) remain unclear. Our objectives were to describe the clinical characteristics and to explore the prognostic factors of non-HIV-ILD-PJP patients. (2) Methods: The enrolled patients in this retrospective study were stratified based on the presence or absence of ILD and fibrotic ILD (FILD). The log-rank test and Cox regression models were used to analyze the prognostic factors. (3) Results: Among 378 non-HIV-PJP patients, there were 133 patients with ILD-PJP, and 70 patients were classified as having FILD-PJP. The all-cause mortality rate for the ILD-PJP group is higher than that of the ILD-PJP group (57.9% vs. 38.4%, p < 0.001). However, the all-cause mortality is similar between the FILD-PJP group and non-FILD-PJP group. Preexisting ILD (HR: 2.156, p = 0.003) and honeycomb appearance on the chest HRCT (HR = 16.3, p < 0.001) are independent survival risk factors for ILD-PJP. Non-invasive ventilation is an independent survival risk factor for ILD-PJP patients (HR = 928.56, p < 0.01) and FILD-PJP patients (HR = 33.86, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Pre-existing ILD and honeycomb appearance on the chest HRCT are independent survival risk factors for PJP patients. Non-invasive ventilation is associated with poor survival for both ILD-PJP and FILD-PJP patients.