title: [Human reservoirs of Pneumocystis].
abstract: Pneumocystis jirovecii, the fungal agent that causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), is known to exclusively infect humans. Molecular studies have enabled detection of this fungus in individuals who have been colonized by P. jirovecii. Such colonization, found in several populations, seems to act as a human reservoir for the fungus. Various studies have reported mutations associated with sulfa resistance in P. jirovecii strains isolated from colonized patients, who can transmit the mutant genotype to PCP-susceptible individuals. The growing interest in P. jirovecii colonization may prompt the design of new prevention and management strategies for PCP.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Estudios en Pneumocystis, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brasil. gwissmann@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wissmann
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morilla
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Friaza
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calderón
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Varela
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology*; D026141:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D005544:Forecasting; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000382:microbiology; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents