Two cases of fatal Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia as a complication of tacrolimus therapy in ulcerative colitis--a need for prophylaxis.
Here we report 2 cases of fatal Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients with severe ulcerative colitis receiving combination immunosuppression including tacrolimus. We discuss the necessity of a P. jirovecii prophylaxis especially in elderly patients according to the European evidence-based consensus on the prevention and management of opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease.
Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Stuttgart, Germany. markus.escher@rbk.de
M
M
Escher
E F
EF
Stange
K R
KR
Herrlinger
D000368:Aged; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus