Sketchy Micro: Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Question 1

PCP is caused by _______________.

Answer 1

Pneumocystis jirovecii

Question 2

PCP is prevalent in those with ___________.

Answer 2

AIDS

Question 3

How is PCP transmitted?

Answer 3

Via respiratory droplets

Question 4

PCP usually only becomes symptomatic when CD4 counts drop below ______________.

Answer 4

200 (like the score in the ping pong game: 20-0)

Question 5

What presenting signs and symptoms are typical of PCP?

Answer 5

Non-productive cough with interstitial (i.e., non-lobar) pneumonia

Question 6

The best way to diagnose PCP is with ______________.

Answer 6

bronchoalveolar lavage (like the player in the background spraying the water bottle with BAL written on it) followed by methenamine silver stains (like the silver discs on the tables)

Question 7

Upon methenamine silver stain, PCP will appear as _____________.

Answer 7

ovoid discs (like the flattened ping pong balls on the ground)

Question 8

What two drugs can treat PCP infection?

Answer 8

Bactrim (like the jar of ping pong balls) and pentamidine (like the pentagon-shaped paddles)