title: Pneumocystis jirovecii Colonization in Non-HIV-Infected Patients Based on Nested-PCR Detection in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pneumocystis jirovecii causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Colonization with this fungus may stimulate pulmonary inflammation or lead to PCP in susceptible patients. The epidemiology of this infection and routs of its transmission has poorly studied in Iran. We examined Pneumosystis colonization in patients with various lung underlying diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of 458 patients with different underlying diseases or pulmonary signs were collected between August 2010 and January 2012. Patients were divided into four groups: transplant recipients, malignant patients, immunosuppressive drug recipients and patients with other different lung diseases. A sensitive nested-PCR method targeted 18S ribosomal RNA gene was used for investigating P. jirovecii in the specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  P. jirovecii DNA was detected in 57 out of 458 (12.5%) BAL samples by nested-PCR. Colonization rate in malignant patients, transplant recipients, immunosuppressive therapy recipients and patients with other various lung diseases was 21.7%, 20.3%, 12.7% and 7.3%, respectively. The enzyme BanI cuts all PCR products producing fragments with the size of 228 and 104 base pair. This finding as well as sequencing of four random positive samples validated and reconfirmed the PCR results. P. jirovecii cysts were found in 5 out of 57 PCR positive samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant number of patients with pulmonary diseases were colonized by P. jirovecii that can develop to PCP in these patients or they may transmit the fungus to other susceptible patients.
authors: Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Khodadadi
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Mirhendi
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Mohebali
authors: Parivash
authors: P
authors: Kordbacheh
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Zarrinfar
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Makimura
keywords: Colonization; Nested-PCR; Pneumocystis jirovecii; Pneumocystis pneumonia
references: Clin Microbiol Infect. 2006 Mar;12(3):231-5
references: 16451409
references: Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005 Dec;11(12):1012-5
references: 16307556
references: Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jul 15;45(2):e17-9
references: 17578770
references: J Med Microbiol. 2008 Jan;57(Pt 1):50-57
references: 18065667
references: Clin Infect Dis. 2006 Jun 1;42(11):e99-101
references: 16652305
references: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2000 Aug;19(8):644-5
references: 11014633
references: J Infect Dis. 2008 Jan 1;197(1):10-7
references: 18171279
references: J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Apr;38(4):1461-7
references: 10747126
references: J Eukaryot Microbiol. 1997 Nov-Dec;44(6):36S
references: 9508424
references: Thorax. 2003 Jul;58(7):594-7
references: 12832674
references: Dan Med Bull. 2004 Aug;51(3):251-73
references: 16009058
references: Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Feb;11(2):245-50
references: 15752442
references: Biomedica. 2011 Jun;31(2):222-31
references: 22159539
references: Chest. 2009 Mar;135(3):655-661
references: 19265086
references: Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2011 Dec;24(6):534-44
references: 21986616
references: Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2006 Oct;56(2):153-60
references: 16678378
references: Clin Infect Dis. 1999 Nov;29(5):1331-2
references: 10524989
references: Saudi Med J. 2006 Sep;27(9):1362-6
references: 16951774
references: Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Jul 1;39(1):123-8
references: 15206063
references: Tanaffos. 2011;10(3):49-54
references: 25191376
references: East Mediterr Health J. 2008 Sep-Oct;14(5):1217-21
references: 19161096
references: Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 May;9(5):605-6
references: 12737749
references: J Clin Pathol. 1972 Feb;25(2):135-40
references: 4536973
references: Arch Dis Child. 1964 Feb;39:35-40
references: 14160085
references: Med Mycol. 2012 Jul;50(5):556-60
references: 22206262