1. Kelly Rueckert and Melissa Greco

2.  This parasite/ Fungus is common everywhere in the world.

3.  It is considered a fungus, but is mentioned in our book because it is considered a opportunistic parasite that often causes severe pathology and is very dangerous to HIV patients.  It may have fungal properties but is sensitive to protozoan agents.  Ribosomal RNA sequence shows Pneumocystis carinii to be a member of the Fungi  Developing from a small trophozoite into a cyst containing eight sporozoites, the Pneumocystis carinii life cycle superficially resembles those seen both in protozoa and fungi

6.  Humans of all ages, and especially prelavant in elderly and in small children with weaker immune systems  Also seen in people taking drugs to cure autoimmune disease  Persons with AIDS are especially susceptible.  This organism is wide spread in mammals, many infections may be caught from pets.

7.  In infected lungs the epithelium (wall of cells in the cavities of body) starts to peel and start to fill with foamy liquid.  Rapid unset; fever, cough, rapid breathing, and cyanosis (blue skin around the mouth/eyes  Death is caused by asphyxiation.  If you don’t get treated the mortality rate is 100%.  Lesions can also occur in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow.

9.  Positive diagnosis is possible only with identification of parasite with staining.  To make a slide, a biopsy of lung tissue is needed.  These are the only tests used to accurately diagnose the parasite.  The parasite is extremely life threatening.

11. Cysts are thick-walled, rounded and approximately 5-8 µm in size

12.  Even with treatment, mortality is high in immunodeficient patients.  An antibacterial medicine is prescribed called trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (TMP SMX) or Bactrim.  Side effects of the drug may be: rash, sick feeling.  More medicine may need to be prescribed for the side effects.  Currently there is no vaccine for this fungus.

13.  If your immune system is weak or your CD4 cell count goes below 200, or if you display a temperature above 100 degrees for longer than two weeks.  Not contagious.

15.  Geographic Distribution ______  Mortality rate____%  Life cycle with ____ and ____  Host ____ ◦ Who is most susceptible_____  Clinical signs____  What is cyanosis_____  Size of cysts____  Method of Diagnosis ____  Treatment ____

16.  http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/brochures /pcpb.htm http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/brochures /pcpb.htm  http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Pneum ocystis.htm http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Pneum ocystis.htm  http://course1.winona.edu/kbates/Parasitolo gy/Images/pcarinii.jpg http://course1.winona.edu/kbates/Parasitolo gy/Images/pcarinii.jpg  http://www.lexic.us/definition- of/pneumocystis_carinii_pneumonia#2 http://www.lexic.us/definition- of/pneumocystis_carinii_pneumonia#2