Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient with newly diagnosed chronic retroviral infection

Overview

For about six months, a 48-year-old homosexual male had been complaining of recurring coughing attacks, a progressive shortness of breath, subfebrile episodes, weight loss and of feeling generally unwell. He underwent detailed pneumology testing, and multiple attempts to detect the cause of his ill-health, with no success. After a very severe immunodeficiency was diagnosed, he was tested for HIV infection and found to be positive, and pneumocystis pneumonia was considered. Empiric therapy with cotrimoxazole was initiated, resulting in an improvement in the patient’s condition.

Key words:
HIV infections, opportunistic infections, immunodeficiency, pneumocystis pneumonia, cotrimoxazole.