Q20: Pneumocystis: clinical implications and diagnosis

From IAhealth.net

For many organisms the information I learned decades ago is still largely correct (except for a tendency to change the name and then change it again!)  However for Pneumocystis this is not the case.  So here's a little quiz to see how up to date you are on Pneumocystis...

1. True/false. Pneumocystis was first discovered in 1909 and was thought to be a stage in the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi
2. True/false.  Pneumocystis is only a clinical problem for immune-suppressed animals
3. True/false.  Pneumocystis species are not host specific and they affect a wide range of mammalian species
4. The following diagnostic methods for rat pneumocystosis are the most sensitive:

1. PCR of an oropharyngeal swab or wash
2. PCR of feces
3. Serology 10-20 days after the infection
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

5. In rats, Pneumocystis was previously known as __________and the species name is/are _______. In mice the species name is P.___________
6. Pneumocystis is intra/extra cellular, is classed as an  ___________________ and does/does not respond to antifungal treatments
7. In people, the Pneumocystis species name is P.______________, the infective stage is the _____ and transmission is by the ________ route
8. True/false.  In people, Trimethoprim/sulfa is the usual treatment.
9. The course of the disease in rats is acute/chronic and peak  disease occurs ____wks after infection
10. Pneumocystis can/cannot reliably be cultured in vitro

11. True/false. Pneumocystis cysts can survive freezing at -80C, but are susceptible to most common disinfectants.

12. The usual stain for identification of Pneumocystis in the lung is __________________

References: 

Peter Walzer in J eukaryot microbiol 2013 60(6)

Procop et al in J Clin Microbiol 2004 p.3333-

Menotti et al PLOS 1 8(4) April 2013

Kim et al experimental and therapeutic medicine 2014. 8:442-446

http://www.criver.com/files/pdfs/infectious-agents/rm_ld_r_pneumocystis.aspx (accessed 9/2017)

http://dora.missouri.edu/rats/pneumocystis-carinii-formerly-known-as-rat-respiratory-virus/