Transplantation 1992 Oct;54(4):621-4

The spectrum of Pneumocystis carinii infection after liver transplantation in children

Colombo JL, Sammut PH, Langnas AN, Shaw BW Jr
Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198.

Abstract
We report the experience with Pneumocystis carinii lung infections in the 109
children undergoing liver transplantation at our hospital between August, 1985
and May, 1989. PCP developed in 9 of the 86 patients (10%) surviving > or = 6
weeks after transplantation and not receiving P carinii chemoprophylaxis. Of the
59 patients undergoing BAL 2 or more weeks after transplantation there were 16
specimens from 14 patients (24%) positive for P carinii. These patients had a
spectrum of illness ranging from asymptomatic to severe pneumonia requiring
mechanical ventilation. The mean interval from first transplantation to
bronchoalveolar lavage positive for P carinii was 24.9 weeks and the mean
interval to first PCP was 28.0 weeks. The earliest and latest occurrences of PCP
were 7 weeks and 73 weeks, respectively, after transplantation. There were no
complications attributed to BAL