Paradoxity of PCP and HIV

Non-HIV-infected patients who get treated for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) generally have worse outcome than in HIV-infected patients. Mortality from PCP in patients with HIV infection is about 10 to 20 percent compared with 35 to 50 percent in those without HIV. One possible explanation is that immuno-compromised patients are unable to mount sufficient inflammatory response.

Reference:

Sepkowitz KA. Opportunistic infections in patients with and patients without Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 34:1098.