Impact of next-generation sequencing on antimicrobial treatment in immunocompromised adults with suspected infections

BACKGROUND:Prompt pathogen identification can have a substantial impact on the optimization of antimicrobial treatment.The objective of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of next-generation sequencing(NGS)for identifying pathogen and its clinical impact on antimicrobial intervention in immunocompromised patients with suspected infections.METHODS:This was a retrospective study.Between January and August 2020,47 adult immunocompromised patients underwent NGS testing under the following clinical conditions:1)prolonged fever and negative conventional cultures;2)new-onset fever despite empiric antimicrobial treatment;and 3)afebrile with suspected infections on imaging.Clinical data,including conventional microbial test results and antimicrobial treatment before and after NGS,were collected.Data were analyzed according to documented changes in antimicrobial treatment(escalated,no change,or deescalated)after the NGS results.RESULTS:The median time from hospitalization to NGS sampling was 19 d.Clinically relevant pathogens were detected via NGS in 61.7% of patients(29/47),more than half of whom suffered from fungemia(n=17),resulting in an antimicrobial escalation in 53.2% of patients(25/47)and antimicrobial de-escalation in 0.2% of patients(1/47).Antimicrobial changes were mostly due to the identification of fastidious organisms such as Legionella,Pneumocystis jirovecii,and Candida.In the remaining three cases,NGS detected clinically relevant pathogens also detected by conventional cultures a few days later.The antimicrobial treatment was subsequently adjusted according to the susceptibility test results.Overall,NGS changed antimicrobial management in 55.3%(26/47)of patients,and conventional culture detected clinically relevant pathogens in 14.9% of the patients(7/47).CONCLUSION:With its rapid identification and high sensitivity,NGS could be a promising tool for identifying relevant pathogens and enabling rapid appropriate treatment in immunocompromised patients with suspected infections.

Prevalence of Drug Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from Immunocompromised Diabetic Patients Attending Selected Health Facilities in Benue State

Escherichia coli is the commonest bacterial uropathogen of UTIs, the commonest infections in immunocompromised diabetic patients. Better understanding of their main resistance mechanisms to commonly used antibacterial agents will help to reduce the burden of this infection. The prevalence of drug resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from immunocompromised diabetic patients attending selected health facilities in Benue State was investigated. Two hundred and ninety-six midstream urine samples were collected for both study and control diabetic patients. Bacterial isolation was done using semi-quantitative method. Drug resistant Escherichia coli were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), extensive drug resistant (XDR) and pan-drug resistant organisms (PDR). Statistical significance was considered at p E. coli isolates from the study and control subjects with overall prevalence of 20.9% and 8.4% respectively. The isolates were highly resistant to penicillin (ampicillin), monobactam (aztreonam), older quinolone (nalidixic acid) whereas the majority of them showed high susceptibility to aminoglycoside (streptomycin), cephalosporin (cefotaxime) and carbapenem (imipenem). None showed complete susceptibility to all the tested antibiotics. Twenty-five E. coli were identified in this MDR, eight, XDR while 5 were PDR. High numbers of drug resistant E. coli isolates were identified in the study group of which 25 were MDR, 8 XDR while 5 were PDR isolates. High prevalence of UTI and drug resistant isolates occur in diabetic patients with hyperglycemic condition.

Remission of primary low-grade gastric lymphomas of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type in immunocompromised pediatric patients

We report the remission of primary gastric lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue （MALT） type in two immunocompromised pediatric patients. Patient 1, a 14-year-old boy in an immunocompromised state of unknown cause, complained of repeated abdominal pain. Examinations revealed gastric MALT with local invasion and lymph node involvement. Serum anti-Helicobacter pylori （H pylon） antibody was positive. H pylori eradication was abandoned due to its adverse effects. The MALT lesion spontaneously regressed over the next 24 months without any treatment for lymphoma. Patient 2, a 6-year-old boy, underwent cord blood transplantation for the treatment of adrenoleukodystrophy. He was administered immunosuppressants for graft-versus-host disease after transplantation. Nausea and hematochezia appeared and further examinations revealed gastric MALT with H pylori gastritis. Treatment consisting of medication for the Hpylori infection alone eradicated the Hpylori and completely resolved the patient＇s MALT lesion, as well. Patients i and 2 were followed up over periods of 10 years and 3 years, respectively, without any signs of relapse. In conclusion, gastric lymphoma of the MALT type can be cured by conservative treatment even in immunocompromised pediatric patients.

Parasites may exit immunocompromised northern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina)infected with SIVmac239

Parasites can increase infection rates and pathogenicity in immunocompromised human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） patients. However, in vitro studies and epidemiological investigations also suggest that parasites might escape immunocompromised hosts during HIV infection Due to the lack of direct evidence from animal experiments, the effects of immunocompromised hosts parasitic infections on remain unclear. Here we detected 14 different parasites in six northern pig-tailed macaques （NPMs） before or at the 50th week of simian immunodeficiency virus （SIV） infection by ELISA. The NPMs all carried parasites before viral injection. At the 50th week after viral injection, the individuals with negative results in parasitic detection （i.e., 08247 and 08287） were characterized as the Parasites Exit （PE） group, with the other individuals （i.e., 09203, 09211, 10205, and 10225） characterized as the Parasites Remain （PR） group. Compared with the PR group, the NPMs in the PE group showed higher viral loads, lower CD4＋ T cells counts, and lower CD4/CD8 rates. Additionally, the PE group had higher immune activation and immune exhaustion of both CD4~ and CD8~ T cells. Pathological observation showed greater injury to the liver, cecum, colon, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes in the PE group This study showed more seriously compromised immunity in the PE group, strongly indicating that parasites might exit an immunocompromised host.

Hepatitis E in immunocompromised individuals

Hepatitis E virus(HEV)originally identified as a cause of acute icteric hepatitis in developing countries has grown to be a cause of zoonotic viral hepatitis in developed countries such as the United States.While there are eight identified genotypes to date,genotype 1(HEV1),HEV2,HEV3,HEV4 are the most common to infect humans.HEV1 and HEV2 are most common in developing countries including Latina America,Africa and Asia,and are commonly transmitted through contaminated water supplies leading to regional outbreaks.In contrast HEV3 and HEV4 circulate freely in many mammalian animals and can lead to occasional transmission to humans through fecal contamination or consumption of undercooked meat.The incidence and prevalence of HEV in the United States is undetermined given the absence of FDA approved serological assays and the lack of commercially available testing.In majority of cases,HEV infection is a selflimiting hepatitis requiring only symptomatic treatment.However,this is not the case in immunocompromised individuals,including those that have undergone solid organ or stem cell transplantation.In this subset of patients,chronic infection can be life threatening as hepatic insult can lead to inflammation and fibrosis with subsequent cirrhosis and death.The need for re-transplantation as a result of post-transplant hepatitis is of great concern.In addition,there have been many reported incidents of extrahepatic manifestations,for which the exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated.The cornerstone of treatment in immunocompromised solid organ transplant recipients is reduction of immunosuppressive therapies,while attempting to minimize the risk of organ rejection.Subsequent treatment options include ribavirin,and pegylated interferon alpha in those who have demonstrated ribavirin resistance.Further investigation assessing safety and efficacy of anti-viral therapy is imperative given the rising global health burden.Given this concern,vaccination has been approved in China with other investigations underway throughout the world.In this review we introduce the epidemiology,diagnosis,clinical manifestations,and treatment of HEV,with emphasis on immunocompromised individuals in the United States.

Ileocolonic mucormycosis in adult immunocompromised patients:A surgeon's perspective

We report three cases of ileocolic mucormycosis in adult immunocompromised patients presenting as acute abdomen.All patients underwent laparotomy but two of them died from multiorgan failure before the diagnoses were confirmed.The diagnosis of gastrointestinal mucormycosis is rarely suspected,and antemortem diagnosis is made in only 25%-50% of cases.These cases illustrate the difficulty encountered by surgeons in managing acute abdomen in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancy.The management of colonic mucormycosis in the published literature is also reviewed.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumors in immunocompromised patients:Six case reports

BACKGROUND Epstein-Barr virus associated smooth muscle tumor(EBV-SMT)is a rare oncological entity.However,there is an increasing incidence of EBV-SMTs,as the frequency of organ transplantation and immunosuppression grows.EBV-SMT diagnosis relies on histopathology and immunochemical staining to distinguish it from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder(PTLD).There is no clear consensus on the treatment of EBV-SMTs.However,surgical resection,chemotherapy,radiation therapy,and immunosuppression reduction have been explored with varying degrees of success.CASE SUMMARY Our case series includes six cases of EBV-SMTs across different age groups,with different treatment modalities,adding to the limited existing literature on this rare tumor.The median latency time between immunosuppression and disease diagnosis is four years.EBV-SMTs present with variable degrees of aggressiveness and seem to have worse clinical outcomes in patients with tumor multiplicity and worse immunocompetency.CONCLUSION It is imperative to continue building on this knowledge and keeping EBV-SMTs on the differential in immunocompromised individuals.

Successively bilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis in immunocompromised patient with Good's syndrome

Dear Editor,I am Dr. Feng Hu, from the Department of Ophthalmology of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing, China. I write to present a case report of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) in Good’s syndrome (GS).GS is an extremely rare primary immune-deficiency syndrome,which consists of simultaneous occurrence of

Prevalence of adenovirus and rotavirus infection in immunocompromised patients with acute gastroenteritis in Portugal

AIM: To characterize the prevalence of rotavirus(RV) and adenovirus(Ad V) infections in immunocompromised patients with acute gastroenteritis. METHODS: The presence of RV and Ad V(serotypes 40 and 41) was evaluated in 509 stool samples obtained between January 2009 and December 2010 from 200 immunocompromised patients(83 females and 117 males; median age 21 years old, range 0-72. The diagnosis of infection was performed as a routine procedure and the presence of RV and Ad V(serotypes 40 and 41) was determined by immunochromatography using the RIDA® Quick Rota-Adeno-Kombi kit(r-Biopharm, Darmstadt, Germany). The data analysis and description of seasonal frequencies were performed using computer software IBM® SPSS®(Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Statistics version 20.0 for Mac. The frequencies of infection were compared into different age and gender groups by χ2 test.RESULTS: The study revealed 12.4% Ad V positive samples and 0.8% RV positive samples, which correspond to a prevalence of 6.5% and 1.5%, respectively. Ad V was more frequent between October 2009 and April 2010, while RV was identified in April 2010 and July 2010. The stool analysis revealed that from the 509 samples, 63(12.4%) were positive for Ad V and 4(0.8%) positive for RV, which by resuming the informationof each patient, lead to an overall prevalence of Ad V and RV of 6.5%(13/200 patients) and 1.5%(3/200 patients), respectively. The stratification of the analysis regarding age groups showed a tendency to an increased prevalence of infection in paediatric patients between 0-10 years old. Considering the seasonal distribution of these infections, our study revealed that Ad V infection was more frequent between October 2009 and April 2010, while RV infection was characterized by two distinct peaks(April 2010 and July 2010). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of Ad V and RV infection in immunocompromised patients with acute gastroenteritis was 8% and Ad V was the most prevalent agent.

Disseminated strongyloidiasis in an immunocompromised host:A case report

Infections caused by Strongyloides stercoralis(S.stercoralis) in human are generally asymptomatic,however in immunocompromised individual,hyperinfection may develop with dissemination of larvae to extra-intestinal organs.The diagnosis could be easily missed due to asymptomatic presentation and insufficient exposure towards the infection itself,which may lead to low index of suspicion as a consequence.In this report,a case of a Malaysian male with underlying diabetes mellitus,hypertension,cerebrovascular accident,bullous pemphigus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion who initially complained of generalized body weakness and poor appetite without any history suggestive of sepsis is presented.However,he developed septicemic shock later,and S.stercoralis larvae was incidentally found in the tracheal aspirate that was sent to look for acid fast bacilli.Regardless of aggressive resuscitation,the patient succumbed due to pulmonary hemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome.It was revealed that the current case has alarmed us via incidental finding of S.stercoralis larvae in the tracheal aspirate,indicating that the importance of the disease should be emphasized in certain parts of the world and population respectively.

In Vitro Study on Virulence Potentials of Burkholderia pseudomallei Isolated from Immunocompromised Patients

Eighty four throat swabs were obtained from Basrah General Hospital inpatients （N = 34）： 17 were suffering from renal failure and the other 17 were diabetics; and from outpatients （N = 50）. Throat swabs were cultured first in the selective media Ashdown＇s broth then subcultured on Ashdown＇s agar to isolate Burkholderia pseudomallei which was recovered from seven cases （8.33%）. Four isolates were from renal failure patients （23.53%）, two from diabetic patients （11.76%） and the seventh isolate was from an outpatient with tonsillitis. All isolates were able to produce capsules, form filament chains, exhibit swarming motility and were arabinose non assimilators （Ara-） indicative of their virulence. Additionally, isolated B. pseudomallei were found to produce protease, lipase, hemolysin, and lecithinase and were able to produce biofilm, the root of many troublesome persistent infections that resist antibiotic treatment. Susceptibility of the seven isolates of B. pseudomallei toward 11 antibiotics was assessed, isolates were found multiply resistant to all antibiotics apart from ciproflaxin. This study confirms for the first time isolation of B. pseudomallei from immunocompromised patients in Basrah city of Iraq and describes their virulence potentials.

Fungal infections in immunocompromised critically ill patients

Diverse pathogenic fungi can produce severe infections in immunocompromised patients, thereby justifying intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. In some cases, the infections can develop in immunocompromised patients who were previously admitted to the ICU. Aspergillus spp., Pneumocystis jirovecii, Candida spp., and Mucorales are the fungi that are most frequently involved in these infections. Diagnosis continues to be challenging because symptoms and signs are unspecific. Herein, we provide an in-depth review about the diagnosis, with emphasis on recent advances, and treatment of these invasive fungal infections in the ICU setting.

Does Smoking Weaken the Immune System: A Narrative Review

Smoking has a complex impact on the immune system, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. It can exacerbate pathogenic immune responses and attenuate defensive immunity, leading to a higher susceptibility to infections and certain diseases. The chemicals in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, can alter immune cell functions and inflammatory responses. Smoking can also have long-term effects on the immune system, with some changes persisting even after quitting [1]. According to a Penn Medicine Physician, the Medical Oncologist Dr. David Porter, “People who are smokers tend to get sicker from infections”, “It may be that smoking impacts the immune system’s ability to respond appropriately”. Thus, such individuals within smoking exposure history might be considered as immunocompromised due to the altered and weakened immune system. Cigarette smoking is a prevalent habit with far-reaching health implications. Among its many adverse effects, smoking significantly alters the immune system’s functionality [1].

Global Burden of Fungal Infections and Antifungal Resistance from 1961 to 2024: Findings and Future Implications

Background: Antifungal resistance (AFR) is a global public health problem with devastating effects, especially among immunocompromised individuals. Addressing AFR requires a One Health approach including Antifungal Stewardship (AFS). This study aimed to comprehensively review global studies published on fungal infections and AFR and to recommend solutions to address this growing problem. Materials and Methods: This was a narrative review that was conducted using published papers on fungal infections, AFR, and AFS between January 1961 and March 2024. The literature was searched using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Results: This found that there has been an increase in fungal infections globally, especially among immunocompromised patients. Due to this increase in fungal infections, there has been a proportionate increase in the use of antifungal agents to prevent and treat fungal infections. This increased use of antifungal agents has worsened the problem of AFR contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Globally, fungal infections have contributed to 150 million infections annually and 1.7 million deaths per year. By the year 2023, over 3.8 million people died from fungal infections. Addressing AFR remains a challenge because the treatment of antifungal-resistant infections is difficult. Finally, the treatment of fungal infections is a global challenge exacerbated by the limited number of antifungal agents to treat invasive fungal infections. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that fungal infections and AFR are prevalent across humans, animals, agriculture, and the environment. Addressing this problem requires the provision of solutions such as improving the awareness of AFR, conducting further research on the discovery of new antifungal agents, and implementing AFS programs. If this global problem is not addressed, the morbidity and mortality associated with AFR will continue to rise in the future.

Critical considerations for the management of acute abdomen in transplant patients

The number of solid organ transplantations performed annually is increasing and are increasing in the following order:Kidney,liver,heart,lung,pancreas,small bowel,and uterine transplants.However,the outcomes of transplants are impro-ving(organ survival>90%after the 1st year).Therefore,there is a high probability that a general surgeon will be faced with the management of a transplant patient with acute abdomen.Surgical problems in immunocompromised patients may not only include graft-related problems but also nongraft-related problems.The perioperative regulation of immunosuppression,the treatment of accompanying problems of immunosuppression,the administration of cortisol and,above all,the realization of a rapidly deteriorating situation and the accurate evaluation and interpretation of clinical manifestations are particularly important in these patients.The perioperative assessment and preparation includes evaluation of the patient’s cardiovascular system and determining if the patient has hypertension or suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,or if the patient has had any coagulation mechanism abnormalities or thromboembolic episodes.Immunosuppression in transplant patients is associated with the use of calci-neurin inhibitors,corticosteroids,and antiproliferation agents.Many times,the clinical picture is atypical,resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment and leading to increased morbidity and mortality.Multidetector computed tomo-graphy is of utmost importance for early diagnosis and management.Transplant recipients are prone to infections,especially specific infections caused by cytomegalovirus and Clostridium difficile,and they are predisposed to intraop-erative or postoperative complications that require great care and vigilance.It is necessary to follow evidence-based therapeutic protocols.Thus,it is required that the clinician choose the correct therapeutic plan for the patient(conservative,emergency open surgery or minimally invasive surgery,including laparoscopic or even robotic surgery).

Tacrolimus-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following liver transplantation

In this editorial,we talk about a compelling case focusing on posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)as a complication in patients undergoing liver transplantation and treated with Tacrolimus.Tacrolimus(FK 506),derived from Streptomyces tsukubaensis,is a potent immunosuppressive macrolide.It inhibits Tcell transcription by binding to FK-binding protein,and is able to amplify glucocorticoid and progesterone effects.Tacrolimus effectively prevents allograft rejection in transplant patients but has adverse effects such as Tacrolimus-related PRES.PRES presents with various neurological symptoms alongside elevated blood pressure,and is primarily characterized by vasogenic edema on neuroimaging.While computed tomography detects initial lesions,magnetic resonance imaging,especially the Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery sequence,is superior for diagnosing cortical and subcortical edema.Our discussion centers on the incidence of PRES in solid organ transplant recipients,which ranges between 0.5 to 5+ACU-,with varying presentations,from seizures to visual disturbances.The case of a 66-year-old male status post liver transplantation highlights the diagnostic and management challenges associated with Tacrolimus-related PRES.Radiographically evident in the parietal and occipital lobes,PRES underlines the need for heightened vigilance among healthcare providers.This editorial emphasizes the importance of early recognition,accurate diagnosis,and effective management of PRES to optimize outcomes in liver transplant patients.The case further explores the balance between the efficacy of immunosuppression with Tacrolimus and its potential neurological risks,underlining the necessity for careful monitoring and intervention strategies in this patient population.

Relationship between Radiological Stages and Prognoses of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Non-AIDS Immunocompromised Patients

Background： Although radiological features ofpneumocystis pneumonia （PCP） in non-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome （AIDS） immunocompromised patients have been reported by other authors, there were no studies on the radiological stages of PCP previously. This study aimed to elucidate the radiological stages and prognoses of PCP in non-AIDS immunocompromised patients. Methods： Retrospective analysis ofradiological manifestations and prognoses of 105 non-AIDS PCP immunocompromised patients from August 2009 to April 2016 was conducted. Chest radiograph was divided into three stages： early stage （normal or nearly normal chest radiograph）, mid stage （bilateral pulmonary infiltrates）, and late stage （bilateral pulmonary consolidations）; chest high-resolution computed tomography （HRCT） was also divided into three stages： early stage （bilateral diffuse ground-glass opacity [GGO]）, mid stage （bilateral diffuse GGO and patchy consolidations）, and late stage （bilateral diffuse consolidations）. Results： The case fatality rate （CFR） of all patients was 34.3% （36/105）, all of them took routine chest X-ray （CXR）, and 84 underwent chest CT examinations. According to the CXR most near the beginning ofanti-PCP therapy, 18 cases were at early stage and CFR was 0 （0/18, P 〈 0.01）, 50 cases were at mid stage and CFR was 28.0% （14/50, P〉 0.05）, and 37 cases were at late stage and CFR was 59.5% （22/37, P 〈 0.01）. According to the chest HRCT most near the beginning ofanti-PCP therapy, 40 cases were at early stage and CFR was 20.0% （8/40, P 〉 0.05）, 34 cases were at mid stage and CFR was 47.1% （l 6/34, P 〉 0.05）, and 10 cases were at late stage and CFR was 80.0% （8/10, P 〈 0.05）; barotrauma, including pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumohypoderma, was found in 18 cases and the CFR was 77.8% （14/18, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusions： Based on the radiological manifestations, the course of PCP in non-A1DS immunocompromised patients can be divided into three stages： early stage, mid stage, and late stage. The prognoses of patients treated at early stage are good, and those at late stage are poor. Furthermore, the CFR of patients with barotrauma is high.

Use of real-time polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised patients： a meta-analysis

Background The diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia （PCP） in immunocompromised patients is still challenging today due to the absence of an in vitro culture system and the low diagnostic accuracy of microscopic examinations. Herein, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） in the diagnosis of PCP. Methods We searched Web of Knowledge and Medline from 1990 to May 2010 for studies reporting diagnostic accuracy data regarding the use of real-time PCR in the diagnosis of PCP in immunocompromised patients. Results Ten individual studies were included. Overall, the sensitivity of real-time PCR was 97% （95% CI： 93%-99%）; the specificity was 94% （95% CI： 90%-96%）. The area under the HSROC curve （95% CO for real-time PCR was 0.99 （0.97-0.99）. In a subgroup analysis regarding studies involving HIV patients among the study population, the sensitivity and specificity were 97% （95% CI： 93%-99%） and 93% （95% CI： 89%-96%）, respectively. Regarding studies using Bronchoalveolar lavage （BAL） samples only： sensitivity =98% （95% CI： 94%-99%）; specificity =93% （95% CI： 89%- 96%）, respectively. Regarding studies using microscopy as a reference standard： sensitivity =97% （95% CI： 92%-99%）; specificity =93% （95% CI： 88%-96%）. However, high between-study statistical heterogeneity was observed in all analyses. Conclusions Real-time PCR has a good diagnostic accuracy and may provide a useful adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of PCP in immunocompromised patients. Further studies are needed in order to identify any differences in the diagnostic performance of real-time PCR in HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients.

Cytomegalovirus Hepatitis in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Hosts

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is common and affects between 40–100% of the worldwide population. However, the majority of cases are asymptomatic and when severe disease occurs, it is usually restricted to immunocompromised patients. Liver involvement by HCMV differs significantly, accordingly to the immune status of the host. In immunocompromised patients, particularly liver transplant patients, it often causes clinically significant hepatitis. On the other hand, in immunocompetent patients, HCMV hepatitis requiring hospitalization is extremely rare. This review aims to appraise studies regarding the pathophysiology of HCMV hepatitis, including mechanisms of latency and reactivation and its contribution to disease development, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities and treatment, with a focus on comparing different aspects between immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts.

Programmed death ligand 1 is overexpressed by neutrophils in the blood of immunocompromised human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia

Despite recent advances in antibiotic use, in creasing numbers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- negative patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) are being admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), and show a mortality rate of over 50%.[1] A high neutrophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is a predictor of poor prognosis in HIV-negative patients with PCP.