[A clinical study of six cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE

To heighten the awareness of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

METHOD: Six cases of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULT: The underlying diseases were leukemia, lymphoma, renal transplantation and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The clinical features were dyspnea, cough and fever. X rays typically showed a bilateral diffuse or patchy interstitial infiltrate. Three cases complicated with acute respiratory failure showed hypoxemia, intrapulmonary shunt and reduced compliance resembling ARDS. CPAP/PEEP was required. High-level PEEP (> 1.47 kPa) can be applied to the refractory hypoxemia. SMZco and dapsone were the initial choice of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with acute respiratory failure was poor. Aggressive early diagnosis and treatment were critical to improve survival.