title: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in an infant with severe folate deficiency.
abstract: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is rare in immunocompetent children. Severe folate deficiency affects T cell function, potentially increasing susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens. We report the case of an 11-month-old child who developed P. jiroveci pneumonia in the setting of severe nutritional folate deficiency and review the literature regarding the influence of folate on immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crighton
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haeusler
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pati
authors.forename: Tom G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Connell
mesh_terms: D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000175:diagnosis*