Co- infectious Cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia in a Polyarteritis Nodosa Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Our report discusses a patient diagnosed with PAN since 3 years ago. He presented with fever, chills and nonproductive cough. He was a long time receiver of immunosuppressant drugs for his underlying condition. Upon examination he was febrile, had cushingoid appearance and cackles in both lungs. Lung CT scan showed opacities in right upper lobe lung and multiple bilateral nodules and ground glass opacity along with mild thickening of pleura. A bronchoscopy was ordered to asses PCP, and without hesitation empirical therapy was started. However, his clinical condition did not improve as expected. At this time, suspecting another infection at play, a PCR and BAL specimen was ordered for CMV. After receiving the result of BAL analysis, our suspicion was confirmed for both PCP and CMV pneumonia. CMV is an important opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights this importance in immunocompromising conditions. In this setting, presence of respiratory signs and symptoms point out to PCP as the first differential diagnosis; but at the same time it's crucial for clinicians to consider the possibility of CMV as a co-infective agent.