Atypical pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jirovecii in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus: Case report
Keywords:
Pneumocystis pneumonia, Pneumothorax, HIV infections, Pneumonia, Pneumocystis infectionsAbstract
Introduction: Atypical pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jirovecii in HIV-infected patients is currently becoming less common due to the intensive treatment these patients receive. However, it still poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and has a difficult course due to delayed detection by healthcare providers.
Objective: To present the clinical case of an HIV-positive patient with atypical pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jirovecii.
Case presentation: A 59-year-old female patient with a medical history of HIV diagnosed more than 4 years ago was diagnosed with atypical pneumonia. The course was difficult, developing 15 days later with pneumothorax and pulmonary bullae. She was treated in the Intensive Care Unit, but died 3 days later due to complications of the condition.
Conclusions: Broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered to this patient, although we know that the treatment of choice in these cases is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, as this is not available. Her course was marked by highly complex symptoms, leading to the development of a pneumothorax, a serious complication that can lead to severe damage or even death.
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