Current insights into the biology and pathogenesis of Pneumocystis pneumonia.
The fungal infection Pneumocystis pneumonia is the most prevalent opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Although the analysis of this opportunistic fungal pathogen has been hindered by the inability to isolate it in pure culture, the use of molecular techniques and genomic analysis have brought insights into its complex cell biology. Analysis of the intricate relationship between Pneumocystis and the host lung during infection has revealed that the attachment of Pneumocystis to the alveolar epithelium promotes the transition of the organism from the trophic to the cyst form. It also revealed that Pneumocystis infection elicits the production of inflammatory mediators, culminating in lung injury and impaired gas exchange. Here we discuss these and other recent findings relating to the biology and pathogenesis of this intractable fungus.
Thomas
Charles F
CF
Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. thomas.charles@mayo.edu
Limper
Andrew H
AH
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002453:Cell Cycle; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D016681:Genome, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000382:microbiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016207:Cytokines