ABSTRACT
Pneumocystis jirovecii (H) is a yeast-like fungus that primarily affects immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV. Pneumocystis pneumonia may be the presenting feature of HIV and patients with a CD4 count less than 200 cells/µL are particularly susceptible. Clinically, Pneumocystis jirovecii infection presents with fever, non-productive cough, weight loss and night sweats. Chest X-ray may show signs of diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Definitive diagnosis involves histological examination of sputum or bronchio-alveolar lavage fluid. Gomori’s methenamine silver stain reveals ‘flying saucer’ shaped cysts on microscopy.
