Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia in an Immunocompetent Women: A Case Report
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Publication Date
2025
Abstract
We present the Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) case of an 89-year-old female with a past medical history of meningioma resection. The patient completed a 22-day steroid taper 7 days before presenting with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. CT chest on admission revealed ground glass opacities. While PCP was considered, community acquired pneumonia (CAP) was felt to be more likely due to the short course of steroids. Failure to improve with CAP treatment ultimately prompted bronchoalveolar lavage, revealing PCP. Prophylaxis for PCP is recommended in patients receiving greater than or equal to 20mg of prednisone daily for one month or longer, a threshold our patient did not meet. This is a unique case of PCP in an immunocompetent patient where diagnosis was delayed due to lack of typical risk factors. We recommend testing for PCP early, even in patients without classic risk factors, if there is clinical suspicion for infection
Specialty/Research Institute
Graduate Medical Education
