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Pneumocystis carinii (which some researchers argue should be renamed P. jiroveci) continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. Unlike most other microorganisms, P. carinii/jiroveci is unable to synthesize S-adenosylmethionine, an important biochemical intermediate that is essential for many cellular functions. Supplementation of S-adenosylmethionine is required to sustain the growth of P. carinii/jiroveci in culture, and plasma S-adenosylmethionine levels rapidly decrease in experimentally infected animals. The significance of these findings for human infection is unknown.
Plasma S-adenosylmethionine levels were measured in 15 patients with confirmed or suspected PCP, in 12 healthy controls, and in 33 p…