Post on 15-Dec-2015
Pneumocystis carinii
Kelly Rueckert and Melissa Greco
This parasite/Fungus is commoneverywhere in theworld.
Geographic Distribution
It is considered a fungus, but is mentioned in our book because it is considered a opportunistic parasite that often causes severe pathology and is very dangerous to HIV patients.
It may have fungal properties but is sensitive to protozoan agents.
Ribosomal RNA sequence shows Pneumocystis carinii to be a member of the Fungi
Developing from a small trophozoite into a cyst containing eight sporozoites, the Pneumocystis carinii life cycle superficially resembles those seen both in protozoa and fungi
Fungus or Parasite?
Life Cycle of the Pneumocystis Carinii
A slide of Pneumocystis carinii
Humans of all ages, and especially prelavant in elderly and in small children with weaker immune systems
Also seen in people taking drugs to cure autoimmune disease
Persons with AIDS are especially susceptible.
This organism is wide spread in mammals, many infections may be caught from pets.
Definitive Hosts
In infected lungs the epithelium (wall of cells in the cavities of body) starts to peel and start to fill with foamy liquid.
Rapid unset; fever, cough, rapid breathing, and cyanosis (blue skin around the mouth/eyes
Death is caused by asphyxiation. If you don’t get treated the mortality rate is
100%. Lesions can also occur in lymph nodes,
spleen, liver, and bone marrow.
Pathogenesis and Clinical signs
Slide of Pneumocystis carinii from bronchi
Positive diagnosis is possible only with identification of parasite with staining.
To make a slide, a biopsy of lung tissue is needed.
These are the only tests used to accurately diagnose the parasite.
The parasite is extremely life threatening.
Diagnosis
X-ray ofPneumocystis carinii in the lungs
Pneumocystis carinii in lung tissue
Cysts are thick-walled, rounded and approximately 5-8 µm in size
Even with treatment, mortality is high in immunodeficient patients.
An antibacterial medicine is prescribed called trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (TMP SMX) or Bactrim.
Side effects of the drug may be: rash, sick feeling.
More medicine may need to be prescribed for the side effects.
Currently there is no vaccine for this fungus.
Treatment
If your immune system is weak or your CD4 cell count goes below 200, or if you display a temperature above 100 degrees for longer than two weeks.
Not contagious.
Control Measures
Any Questions?
Geographic Distribution ______ Mortality rate____% Life cycle with ____ and ____ Host ____
◦ Who is most susceptible_____ Clinical signs____ What is cyanosis_____ Size of cysts____ Method of Diagnosis ____ Treatment ____
Review – Candy!!
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/brochures/pcpb.htm
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Pneumocystis.htm
http://course1.winona.edu/kbates/Parasitology/Images/pcarinii.jpg
http://www.lexic.us/definition-of/pneumocystis_carinii_pneumonia#2
Works cited