title: [Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: an opportunistic infectious risk associated with systemic diseases and their treatment].
abstract: Pneumocystis carinii, an opportunistic pathogen, often causes pneumonia in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In patients free of HIV infection, the risk is clearly associated with certain diseases and immunosuppressive therapy. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia can complicate solid or hematologic malignancies, organ transplantation and connective tissue diseases. Recent therapeutic strategies based on aggressive immunosuppression have increased the risk of opportunistic infection with Pneumocystis carinii, particularly in patients with Wegener's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. The risk of interhuman nosocomial transmission of Pneumocystis carinii in units caring for HIV-infected patients and patients with immunosuppressive diseases should also be considered. The undeniable progress in therapeutic immunosuppression has increased the risk of opportunistic infections. The gravity of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia demonstrates the importance of optimizing treatment choice in order to strike the right balance between beneficial effect and risk of opportunistic infection.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jarrousse
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Pneumocystose pulmonaire: un risque infectieux opportuniste associé aux maladies systémiques et à leur traitement.