Solwayo Ngwenya, MBChB, DFSRH, MRCOG
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Clinical Director Mpilo Central Hospital, Vera Road Mzilikazi Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Women’s Clinic 52A Cecil Avenue, Hillside Bulawayo, Matabeleland, Zimbabwe E-mail: drsolngwe@yahoo.co.uk
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is spread by the airborne route. It caused significant morbidity and mortality in the early stages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic before the advent of anti-retroviral chemotherapeutic agents. It is now decreasing in incidence due to anti-pneumocystis1 therapy but still causes maternal deaths in HIV infected pregnant mothers. Historically, pneumonia during pregnancy has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared to nonpregnant women.2 Acute lung injury during pregnancy results in high morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the fetus.3 In the USA, Pneumocystis carinni pneumonia is the most common cause of AIDS-related death in pregnant women.4 Many HIV-infected persons in the USA remain at high risk of opportunistic infection because they are unaware of their HIV infection.5
It therefore remains a subject of great importance to the population especially in areas with high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. There is a proven chemoprevention agent that is safe and reduces morbidity and mortality in HIV/AIDS patients. All efforts must be made to save lives of pregnant women regardless of their HIV serostatus.
The causative infective agent is the unicellular Pneumocystis jirovecii. This is a common fungus found in the environment and rarely causes disease in healthy people. However in immune-compromised patients, like HIV/ AIDS and cancer patients it causes pneumonia. The fungus can colonise the oropharyx, trachea, trachea-bronchial, bronchial, alveoli and lung parenchyma areas. The microorganism can spread throughout the lungs.
Most pneumocystosis pathophysiological changes result from the parasite’s attachment and proliferation in the lungs, resulting in a filling of alveoli with masses of the microorganism.6 A host response takes place by hypertrophy and hyperplasia involving type 2 epithelial alveolar cells. The effect of this is interference in pulmonary gaseous exchange leading to respiratory compromise and failure.
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia can have a sub-clinical insidious onset but can rapidly progress to acute respiratory failure7 leading to the death of the mother8 and the fetus. Patients may present with cough, chest pains and worsening shortness of breath.9 Clinically, they may be tachypnoic, tachycardic, cyanosed and respiratory distress. It must be considered as a differential diagnosis in all HIV seropositive patients complaining of chest problems.
The investigations such as arterial blood gases reveal profound hypoxia in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia patients. The chest-x-ray is typically described as showing a diffuse interstial pneumonia (Figure 1). The chest-x-ray may also reveal pneumothoraces or pleural effusions. Ultrasonographic appearances include consolidation with dynamic air bronchograms and pleural effusions.10
Figure 1: A chest X-ray showing bilateral interstitial pneumonia typical of Pneumonia carinii
pneumonia.
Definitive diagnosis is with molecular tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Obtaining specimens for such testing may be difficult.11 The diagnosis is confirmed by the detection of trophozoides and/or cysts of Pneumocystis jirovecii in bronchoalveolar lavage samples by using several staining techniques.1 The use of PCR with the standard immunofluorescent or colorimetric tests allows rapid and accurate diagnosis. This greatly improves the commencement of chemotherapeutic agents and may improve outcomes. Bronchoalveolar lavage samples can be obtained by rigid or flexible bronchoscopy. Besides broncoalveolar lavage samples other samples that can be tested include oropharyngeal wash, sputum and blood.11
The best form of management of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is prevention. Widespread chemoprophylaxis with a daily dose of co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) is now recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for all HIV seropositive patients.12,13 A systematic review of the literature has concluded that it is safe to give in pregnant and breastfeeding HIV seropositive patients.14 The fetal adverse effects are outweighed by the benefits hence co-trimoxazole is given in pregnancy.
The management calls for a multidisciplinary approach involving the physician, obstetrician and pneumologist. Pregnant patients presenting in acute state present a difficult dilemma to the clinician. There could be a high possibility of immediate maternal and fetal poor outcomes. The treatment involves oxygen therapy and high doses of co-trimoxazole. The other drug that can be used is pentamidine in combination with cotrimoxazole. Pentamidine can be given in an aerosolized form.15
Those patients presenting with pneumothoraces with respiratory distress will need urgent tube thoracostomy to relieve the pneumothoraces and respiratory distress. Patients may need to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for ventilatory support. Difficult decisions about delivery may have to be taken, at times compromising fetal health if the fetus is premature. Delivery may improve ventilation and improve maternal outcomes. Those collapsing patients with live fetuses should have periportum caesarean sections to salvage the fetuses. Fetal complications include iatrogenic prematurity,16 stillbirths and congenital transplacental infection.17,18,19
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia has a more aggressive course during pregnancy with increased morbidity and mortality, maternal16 and fetal outcomes remaining dismal.4
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is a serious infection that causes significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in HIV/AIDS patients. Widespread HIV testing and use of Cotrimoxazole chemoprophylaxis can reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Co-trimoxazole is safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. It must be a differential diagnosis of any pregnant HIV seropositive patient presenting with pulmonary symptomatology.
This is the sole work of Mr. S. Ngwenya.
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