An etiology of ground - glass images during COVID-19: pneumonia

Abstract

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is a common pathology in HIV-infected but also in uninfected immunocompromised individuals. The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) is a new type of coronavirus disease caused by SARS-COV-2, and the chest imaging is often used as complementary tool in patients’ evaluation. The imaging finding is similar with many pulmonary pathologies. Chest computed tomography scan is gold standard imaging and shows a central and diffuse distribution, ground- glass pattern with septal thickening with “crazy paving pattern.” We reported a case of 57-year-old man patient, followed in oncology for laryngeal cancer who presented of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia during his follow-up. The diagnosis is confirmed by polymerase chain reaction with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Other immunochemical tests can be performed but are less specific. Both curative and preventive treatment in subjects at risk remains trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Corticosteroid therapy may be associated depending on the case.