Work

Bursting the Bubble: Spontaneous Pneumothorax Secondary to Pneumocystis jirovecii Pseudocysts in a Young Diabetic Patient

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: pneumonia (PJP) is a well-known opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients, but remains rare and often under-recognized in type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients. We report the case of a young woman with poorly controlled T1D, HIV-seronegative, who developed severe PJP complicated by spontaneous pneumothorax and reversible pulmonary pseudocysts. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR on induced sputum. The patient received treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, corticosteroids, and thoracic drainage for pneumothorax management, resulting in progressive clinical improvement. This atypical clinical presentation illustrates the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in this at-risk population. This case highlights the importance of suspecting PJP in T1D patients presenting with acute respiratory failure, even in the absence of classical immunosuppressive factors, and underscores the need for close monitoring of cystic complications to prevent potentially severe pneumothoraces.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.95813

Authors: Salma Abrar, Hanane Ikrou, Ghita Baani, Halloumi Oussama, Hind Serhane

Institution: Université Ibn Zohr

Language: English

Topic: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4415734286