1 Volume 4, Issue 01 J Microbiol Genet, an open access journal ISSN: 2574-7371 Journal of Microbiology and Genetics Short Communication Aisenberg GM, et al. J Microbiol Genet 4: 120. Duration of Hypoxemia in Pneumocystis Jiroveciii Pneumonia Gabriel M. Aisenberg 1* , Daniel Ocazionez-Trujillo 2 , Roberto C. Arduino 1 1 Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA 2 Department of Radiology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA * Corresponding author: Gabriel M. Aisenberg, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 1.122, Texas, USA. Phone: +1713-500-6714; Fax: 713-500- 6722; Email: Gabriel.M.Aisenberg@uth.tmc.edu Citation: Aisenberg GM, Ocazionez-Trujillo D, Arduino RC (2019) Duration of Hypoxemia in Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia. J Microbiol Genet 4: 120. DOI: 10.29011/2574-7371.000120 Received date: 02 February 2019; Accepted Date: 19 February 2019; Published Date: 28 February 2019 Abstract Hypoxemia affects up to 50% of HIV-infected patients with Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP), frequently causing hospitalization. The expected duration of hypoxemia in this setting has not been reported. We prospectively enrolled patients living with HIV, diagnosed with PCP (confrmed in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage samples, or suspected based on typical radiological fndings and elevated lactate dehydrogenase serum levels) and hypoxemia (<70 mm Hg PaO 2 in arterial blood gas). Resolution of hypoxemia was defned as the date when hypoxemia normalized during the hospitalization. If the participant was discharged with oxygen therapy, the frst normal reading of oxygen saturation was considered the date of resolution. Among 20 patients enrolled, CD4 T-lymphocyte count ranged 1-122/µl. Eight patients have confrmed PCP, and 4 had concomitantly treated infections. Hypoxemia lasted a median of 8 days (range 1-72), and the duration was not infuenced by steroid use. Considering the declining incidence of PCP, larger studies are needed to provide more reliable data to guide management of hypoxemia in HIV-infected people with PCP. DOI: 10.29011/2574-7371.000120 Keywords: AIDS; Hypoxemia; HIV; Pneumocystis Jirovecii Introduction The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy is associated with a signifcant decline in the incidence of opportunistic infections, including Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP), in patients living with HIV (PLWH) [1]. Hypoxemia affects up to 50% of HIV-infected patients with PCP, which is an indication for hospitalization and adjuvant steroid therapy [2,3]. An extensive search of the literature did not show information regarding the expected duration of hypoxemia among HIV-infected patients with PCP. While hypoxemia confers more severity to conditions causing dyspnea, adds little to the differential etiological diagnosis [4]. Rush decisions can result from the fnding of hypoxemia and abnormal chest X rays, particularly among patients formerly treated for PCP. Understanding the natural and post therapy history of PCP pneumonia is essential for decision-making Objective To report duration of hypoxemia among HIV-infected patients with diagnosis of PCP. Materials and Methods In this prospective non-interventional cohort, we enrolled 20 HIV-infected patients with suspected or proven PCP and hypoxemia, defned as a partial oxygen pressure <70 mm Hg breathing room air, or alveolar to arterial oxygen difference >35 mm Hg in patients on known inspired oxygen fraction over 21%, as previously published [5]. A proven case was defned when Pneumocystis Jirovecii was identifed in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage samples. A suspected case was defned when organism was not found, but characteristic manifestation on the chest radiograph without alternative diagnosis, and elevated serum levels of Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH) were present. Participants’ charts were reviewed for alternative causes of hypoxemia (such as pulmonary embolism, heart failure, or concomitant infections) and steroid