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Upper lobe relapse ofPneumocystis carinii Pneumonia during aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis

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Summary

A patient with a history ofPneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) inhaled aerosolized pentamidine (AP) for secondary prophylaxis of PCP. Nine months after the first PCP episode he presented with pulmonary upper-lobe infiltrations demonstrated by chest x-ray, and bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed the diagnosis of PCP. The clinical course and possible explanations for this unusual form of PCP are presented. The case emphasizes the importance of clinical controls for early diagnosis of relapse of PCP in patients inhaling aerosolized pentamidine. Monitoring of serum lactate dehydrogenase levels appeared to be important in the follow-up of the patient described.

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Abbreviations

PCP:

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

AP:

aerosolized pentamidine

LDH:

lactate dehydrogenase

AIDS:

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

HIV:

human immunodeficiency virus

BGA:

blood gas analysis

WBC:

white blood cell count

BAL:

bronchoalveolar lavage

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. II. Medizinische Klinik des Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow (Wedding) der Freien Universität Berlin, Deutschland

    S. Koppen, T. Grünewald & B. Ruf

  2. Institut für Pathologie des Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow (Wedding) der Freien Universität Berlin, Deutschland

    G. Jautzke

Authors
  1. S. Koppen
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  2. T. Grünewald
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  3. G. Jautzke
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  4. B. Ruf
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Koppen, S., Grünewald, T., Jautzke, G. et al. Upper lobe relapse ofPneumocystis carinii Pneumonia during aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis. Klin Wochenschr 69, 446–448 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666834

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666834

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