CASE N°03 – Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Clinical History:

Age: 37

Sex:  male

Symptoms: Fever, non-productive cough, shortness of breath (especially on exertion), weight loss and night sweats

chest x-ray: shows widespread pulmonary infiltrates

Cytological Images:

Cytological material: bronchoalveolar lavage

PAP 200X

PAP 1000X

PAP 1000X

PAP 400X

Cytological Report:

The smear show many cysts of  Pneumocystis carinii.

Discussion:

Pneumocystis pneumonia is a form of pneumonia, caused by the yeast-like fungus (which had previously been erroneously classified as a protozoan)

Pneumocystis is commonly found in the lungs of healthy people, but being a source of opportunistic infection it can cause a lung infection in people with a weak immune system. Pneumocystis pneumonia is especially seen in people with cancer, HIV/AIDS and the use of medications that affect the immune system.