Is Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia after stem cell transplantations a contagious disease?
We report of twins who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for neonatal acute leukemia. Hospitalized in the same room from the time the first one demonstrated respiratory symptoms, they both developed Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly carinii) pneumonia (PCP) 2 wk apart. This observation suggests that PCP may be a contagious disease in HSCT recipients. This may be especially true for infants and young children who are at risk of primary P. jiroveci infection, and should be avoided.
Resnick
Igor B
IB
Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cancer Immunotherapy, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Averbuch
Diana
D
Aker
Memet
M
Engelhard
Dan
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007938:Leukemia / Q000628:therapy*; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents