| Pneumocystis Jiroveci |
Articles about Pneumocystis Jiroveci |
Information AboutPneumocystis Jiroveci |
''Pneumocystis jiroveci'', sometimes called by its former name ''Pneumocystis carinii'', is a Fungus (earlier classified as a Protozoa ) that causes Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia (PCP). It affects those with weakened Immune System s such as children and the elderly, but is especially common in patients with AIDS . Jiroveci is pronounced "yee row vet zee". ''Pneumocystis'' infection is diagnosed by silver staining of the Sputum . In Immunocompromised patients (e.g. those on Chemotherapy or AIDS with a low CD4+ count; below 200/mm³), prophylaxis with regular Pentamidine inhalations or Sulfamethoxazole / Trimethoprim ( Co-trimoxazole or TMP-SMX) may be necessary. It is distributed worldwide. NOMENCLATURE The name ''P. jiroveci'', to distinguish the organism found in humans from variants of ''Pneumocystis'' found in other animals, was first proposed in 1976, in honor of Otto Jirovec , who described ''Pneumocystis'' pneumonia in humans in 1952. After DNA analysis showed significant differences in the human variant, the proposal was made again in 1999 and has come into common use; ''P. carinii'' still describes the species found in rats, while ''P. murina'' describes that found in mice. The International Code Of Botanical Nomenclature would normally require the name to be spelled ''jirovecii'' rather than ''jiroveci''; both spellings are currently in use. REFERENCE
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