<i>Pneumocystis jirevocii</i> and SARS-CoV-2 Co-Infection: A Common Feature in Transplant Recipients?
Maria A. De Francesco,
Federico Alberici,
Nicola Bossini,
Francesco Scolari,
Federico Pascucci,
Gabriele Tomasoni,
Arnaldo Caruso
Affiliations
Maria A. De Francesco
Institute of Microbiology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia-ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Federico Alberici
Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiologic Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Nicola Bossini
Nephrology Unit, Spedali Civili Hospital, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Francesco Scolari
Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiologic Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Federico Pascucci
First Division of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Gabriele Tomasoni
First Division of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Arnaldo Caruso
Institute of Microbiology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia-ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
COVID-19 might potentially give rise to a more severe infection in solid organ transplant recipients due to their chronic immunosuppression. These patients are at a higher risk of developing concurrent or secondary bacterial and fungal infections. Co-infections can increase systemic inflammation influencing the prognosis and the severity of the disease, and can in turn lead to an increased need of mechanical ventilation, antibiotic therapy and to a higher mortality. Here we describe, for the first time in Europe, a fatal case of co-infection between SARS-CoV-2 and Pneumocystis jirevocii in a kidney transplant recipient.
