title: A Case of Pneumonia Caused by Pneumocystis Jirovecii and Cryptococcus Neoformans in a Patient with HTLV-1 Associated Adult T- Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: Occam's Razor Blunted.
abstract: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is usually preceded by infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I). Patients with ATLL frequently get opportunistic infections of the lungs, intestines, and central nervous system. Pneumocystis pneumonia is commonly known as an AIDS defining illness. Grocott's methenamine silver stain of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples obtained via bronchoscopy remain the gold standard for diagnosis. Pulmonary cryptococcosis is seen in patients with T-cell deficiencies and a diagnosis is made by culture of sputum, BAL, or occasionally of pleural fluid. We present the second case of coinfection with these two organisms in a patient with ATLL who was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, corticosteroids, and fluconazole. We illustrate the need for high clinical vigilance for seeking out an additional diagnosis, especially in immunocompromised patients if they are not improving despite receiving appropriate treatment.
authors.forename: Anish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fe
authors.forename: Amishi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ilowite
authors.forename: Burke A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mathew
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000150:complications*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications*; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D015725:Fluconazole