Is the prevalence of colonization with Pneumocystis Jirovecii in patients with COPD associated with ecologic conditions?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes significant mortality and morbidity. The role of infectious agents has been determined in pathogenesis of the disease. Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungus that causes pneumonia in immune deficient patients. The organism has been detected in the respiratory tracts of asymptomatic patients in low levels، which is called colonization. Several studies have determined the association of this organism with COPD. Our study aim to evaluate the prevalence of pneumpcystis jirovecii colonization in patients with COPD.

60 patients with COPD، went under bronchoscopy and BAL was performed. The disease severity was determined with BODE index. Colonization with pneumocystis jirovecii was evaluated with PCR in the BAL fluid.

The prevalence of pneumocystis jirovecii colonization in COPD patients in our study was 5%.

The prevalence of pneumocystis colonization is lower than the published studies in developed world، which could be due to ecologic differences.