title: Pneumocystis pneumonia in children.
abstract: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised children with quantitative and qualitative defects in T lymphocytes. At risk are children with lymphoid malignancies, HIV infection, corticosteroid therapy, transplantation and primary immunodeficiency states. Diagnosis is established through direct examination or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from respiratory secretions. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole is used for initial therapy in most patients, while pentamidine, atovaquone, clindamycin plus primaquine, and dapsone plus trimethoprim are alternatives. Prophylaxis of high-risk patients reduces but does not eliminate the risk of PCP. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of PCP is important for future advances against this life-threatening infection.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. walsht@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pyrgos
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shoham
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roilides
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination