Pneumonia in immunocompromised host
Alternative names:
pneumonia in immunodeficient patient
Definition:
An inflammation of the lungs caused by infection, which
occurs in a person whose mechanisms to fight infection are
severely impaired.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Because defense mechanisms are limited in immunocompromised
patients (people with a defective immune
response), they are susceptible to infections by microorganisms
that are present everywhere, but do not cause disease in healthy
people, They are also more susceptible to the usual causes
of pneumonia, which can
affect anyone. Causes of immunosuppression
include HIV infection,
leukemia, organ transplantation,
and medications to treat cancer.
The incidence is 3 out
of 1,000 people.
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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