Etymed
pneumocystosis
Definition
An abnormal condition characterized by the presence of cysts in the lungs
Clinical context
A 20-year-old HIV-positive patient presents with progressive dyspnea and dry cough over several weeks. Chest X-ray reveals bilateral interstitial infiltrates. Bronchoalveolar lavage shows characteristic cysts with thickened walls. The patient's CD4 count is 150 cells/µL. This condition typically occurs in immunocompromised patients and is often associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii infection.
Mnemonic
PneumoCystis - Cysts in the lungs cause Cough and Dyspnea