Pneumocystis pneumonia in the COVID-19 pandemic era: similarities and challenges

Abstract

The clinical picture of the fungal disease, Pneumocystis pneumonia, resembles the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), presenting a diagnostic challenge in the pandemic era. We discuss the concern of Pneumocystis jirovecii and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coinfection, their similarities, and the impact of immunosuppression, with a suggested diagnostic pathway for their suspected coinfection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pneumocystis jirovecii; SARS-CoV-2; pneumonia.