Pneumocystis carinii infection in non-AIDS patients

Infection with the opportunist fungus Pneumocystis carinii remains a signif icant cause of morbidity and mortality in non-HIV-infected individuals immu nosuppressed by a wide range of malignancies, transplantation and inflammat ory conditions. Glucocorticoid use appears to be an independent risk factor for the development of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Transmission from i nfected to susceptible patients may occur, albeit infrequently. A diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia may be achieved in the majority of cases by DNA detection using polymerase chain reaction on oropharyngeal mouth wa shes. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.