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Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) is known to occur in patients with impaired T-cell immunity, such as those with HIV infection. Lately, with the widespread use of immunosuppressive therapy and cytotoxic drugs, many PcP cases have been associated with immunocompromising conditions other than HIV infection. Furthermore, recent research has suggested that B cells also play an important role in immunity against Pneumocystis. These cells are depleted by rituximab, a monoclonal antibody commonly used to treat hematologic malignancies and autoimmune disorders.
Researchers recently published a case series involving 30 Mayo Clinic patients (73% men; median age, 70; 90% with hematologic malignancies; none with evidence of HIV infection) who deve…