title: Legionella pneumophila and Pneumocystis jirovecii coinfection in an infant treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone for infantile spasm: case report and literature review.
abstract: We describe an 8-month-old infant with infantile spasms treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) who presented with fatal Legionella pneumophila and Pneumocystis jirovecii infection. Emphasis is placed on the ensuing immunosuppression and infectious sequelae of ACTH therapy. Given that ACTH therapy may increase the risk of fatal infection, patients undergoing such treatment should be closely monitored, with particular attention paid to the functioning of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: 1Pediatric Department, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Nadira
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Musallam
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bamberger
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Srugo
authors.forename: Husein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dabbah
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glikman
authors.forename: Zeev
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zonis
authors.forename: Aharon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kessel
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Genizi
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007223:Infant; D016952:Legionella pneumophila; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
keywords: Legionella pneumophila; Pneumocystis jirovecii; adrenocorticotropic hormone; immunosuppression; infantile spasms