Molecular evidence of Pneumocystis transmission in pediatric transplant unit

Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Feb;11(2):330-2. doi: 10.3201/eid1102.040820.

Abstract

We describe an outbreak of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a pediatric renal transplant unit, likely attributable to patient-to-patient transmission. Single-strand conformation polymorphism molecular typing showed that 3 affected patients had acquired the same 2 strains of Pneumocystis, which suggests interhuman infection. An infant with mitochondriopathy was the probable index patient.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cross Infection / immunology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Cross Infection / transmission
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / chemistry
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Infant
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology
  • Male
  • Pneumocystis carinii*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / transmission*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
  • RNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, ribosomal, 26S