Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in an immunocompetent infant with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

The case of a term infant with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection who developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) at 4 months of age is reported. Our patient suffered from severe malnutrition and zinc deficiency secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis since the age of 2 months. There was no evidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Qualitative and quantitative in vitro leukocyte functions were also normal. This case highlights the fact that PCP can occur in apparently immunocompetent term infants. Malnourished infants with zinc deficiency or congenital CMV infection are at increased risk of developing PCP.