PNEUMOCYSTIS IN A NONIMMUNOCOMPROMISED PA TIENT

Pneumocystis is typically described in the immunodepressed. We report a case of pneumocystis occurring in a patient without known depression of the immune system. The patient, aged 50, was hospitalised for a di ffused infiltration pneumonia which developed sub-acutely, and present ed with increasing dyspnoea of effort, thoracic pain and a disturbance s of general health. The initial assessment did not reveal any risk fa ctors for HIV infection nor any past history of note. The diagnosis of pneumocystis was confirmed by the presence of pneuymocystis carinii i n the bronchoalveolar lavage from two samples. There was a favourable outcome following the prescription of Cotrimoxazole for three months a nd steroid therapy. HIV serology was negative and the sub-population o f lymphocytes was normal. A search for neoplasia or systematic disease remained negative.