Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1992-10-26
pubmed:abstractText
Pneumocystis carinii is a widespread eukaryotic microorganism found in the lungs of healthy mammals, including humans. It is able to proliferate extensively in the alveoli, becoming an important agent of severe pneumonitis in immunosuppressed hosts, especially in persons suffering from AIDS. The taxonomic position of P. carinii is uncertain. Typical cytoplasmic organelles of eukaryotic cells have been found and described in the parasite. Biochemical research is hindered by the lack of an efficient in vitro culture system. Results of comparative study of nucleic acid sequences suggest that Pneumocystis is a fungus. However, ultrastructural, biochemical and nucleic acid homology insights appear as clearly insufficient to class Pneumocystis. Pneumocystis infection might be acquired, as deep mycoses, from environmental sources through the respiratory tract. Thus, the hypothesis of an environmental stage of the parasite must be considered. Pneumocystis might be seen as a widespread pathogenic dimorphous fungus. As fungal agents, P. carinii is able to disseminate from the infected lung to other organs. However, deep mycoses and pneumocystosis induce different histopathological changes in the host. Furthermore, deep fungal infections, unlike pneumocystosis, cannot be transmitted from one infested host to another one. Beside these two aspects, pneumocystosis shares many features with deep mycoses. Research on the epidemiology of pneumocystosis is needed.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0393-2990
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
8
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
460-70
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1992
pubmed:articleTitle
Is Pneumocystis carinii a deep mycosis-like agent?
pubmed:affiliation
INSERM (U. 42), Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't