Kinetics of Serum β-D-Glucan after Pneumocystis Pneumonia Treatment in Patients with AIDS.
Summary of "Kinetics of Serum β-D-Glucan after Pneumocystis Pneumonia Treatment in Patients with AIDS."
Objective Serum β-D-glucan has been demonstrated as a reliable, adjunct diagnostic marker for PCP, but its kinetics after PCP treatment are poorly understood. To evaluate the correlation between the levels of β-D-glucan and the clinical response, we investigated the individual transition of serum β-D-glucan levels after the initiation of PCP treatment. Methods Retrospective study Patients Seventeen PCP patients with AIDS who were admitted to our hospital were analyzed. Results All subjects showed the serum β-D-glucan levels above the cut-off value, and the median level was 224 pg/mL [
IQR:
78-597] at the time of PCP diagnosis. There were no correlations between serum β-D-glucan levels and CRP, LDH, or AaDO(2) at room air. Although there was a downward trend in serum β-D-glucan level as PCP treatment was initiated, a significant number of subjects showed a marked increase in the serum β-D-glucan levels despite their evident clinical improvement. Conclusion The serum β-D-glucan level does not reflect the severity and prognosis of PCP infection, and thus it may not be suitable for monitoring the response to treatment.
Affiliation
International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, Japan.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
ISSN: 1349-7235
Pages: 1397-401
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21720059
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Pneumocystis Jirovecii
A species of PNEUMOCYSTIS infecting humans and causing PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA. It also occasionally causes extrapulmonary disease in immunocompromised patients. Its former name was Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis.
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis
A pulmonary disease in humans occurring in immunodeficient or malnourished patients or infants, characterized by DYSPNEA, tachypnea, and HYPOXEMIA. Pneumocystis pneumonia is a frequently seen opportunistic infection in AIDS. It is caused by the fungus PNEUMOCYSTIS JIROVECII. The disease is also found in other MAMMALS where it is caused by related species of Pneumocystis.
Pneumocystis Infections
Infections with species in the genus PNEUMOCYSTIS, a fungus causing interstitial plasma cell pneumonia (PNEUMONIA, PNEUMOCYSTIS) and other infections in humans and other MAMMALS. Immunocompromised patients, especially those with AIDS, are particularly susceptible to these infections. Extrapulmonary sites are rare but seen occasionally.
Pentamidine
Antiprotozoal agent effective in trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and some fungal infections; used in treatment of PNEUMOCYSTIS pneumonia in HIV-infected patients. It may cause diabetes mellitus, central nervous system damage, and other toxic effects.
Pneumocystis
A genus of ascomycetous FUNGI, family Pneumocystidaceae, order Pneumocystidales. It includes various host-specific species causing PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA in humans and other MAMMALS.
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