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Review Question - QID 221206

QID 221206 (Type "221206" in App Search)
A 38-year-old man presents to the emergency room with a 4-day history of progressive shortness of breath. During this time, he has also had a cough that is productive of sputum. His medical history is significant for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection for which he intermittently takes antiretroviral therapy. He does not have any other history and does not take any other medications. He smokes 1 pack per day, drinks alcohol socially, and does not have any illicit drug use. On physical exam, his temperature is 102.3°F (39.1°C), blood pressure is 100/80 mmHg, pulse is 101/min, and respirations are 20/min. Examination reveals decreased breath sounds in his right middle lung field. His CD4 cell count at his last outpatient appointment was 325 cells/µL. A chest radiograph is obtained, and the results are shown in Figure A. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?
  • A

Cytomegalovirus

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Haemophilus influenzae

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Mycoplasma pneumoniae

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Pneumocystis jirovecii

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Streptococcus pneumoniae

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  • A

Select Answer to see Preferred Response

This patient with fever, a productive cough, focal decreased breath sounds, and dyspnea with a lobar consolidation on chest radiograph likely has community-acquired pneumonia. Even in patients with HIV, as long as the CD4 count is > 200 cells/µL, the most common cause is S. pneumoniae.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that is acquired outside of the healthcare setting. Risk factors for CAP include a history of chronic lung disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and aspiration. Symptoms of CAP include fever, dyspnea, cough (which may be either productive or non-productive), fatigue, and increased work of breathing. Physical exam may reveal dullness to percussion over the affected lung or an increase in tactile fremitus. A finding of a lobar consolidation on chest radiograph in the context of these symptoms is diagnostic of CAP. The most common cause of CAP is S. pneumoniae, including in patients with HIV infection as long as the CD4 count is > 200 cells/µL. Other causes of CAP include S. aureus, M. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and Legionella pneumophila. Treatment of CAP consists of empiric antibiotics, usually with combination therapy consisting of a cephalosporin plus a macrolide or doxycycline. Alternatively, monotherapy with a respiratory fluoroquinolone may be used.

Cillóniz et al. reviewed the epidemiology of CAP in HIV patients. They discuss how these patients are at increased risk for bacterial pneumonia. They recommend that vaccination and smoking cessation be performed as vital strategies for preventing CAP in this population.

Figure/Illustration A is a chest radiograph showing a focal opacification in the right lung (red circle). This finding is consistent with lobar pneumonia.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) may cause pneumonia in patients with HIV. Infection with CMV usually occurs in patients who are severely immunocompromised (CD4 cell count < 50 cells/μL). Furthermore, diffuse interstitial infiltrates would be expected.

Answer 2: H. influenzae is another common cause of CAP that would present with a productive cough and lobar consolidation. H. influenzae pneumonia usually occurs in patients with underlying chronic lung disease such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Answer 3: M. pneumoniae is an atypical organism that is a common cause of CAP in young adults. It is a less common cause of CAP in older adults. Pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae is usually described as a "walking" pneumonia because it does not cause severe symptoms. On imaging, Mycoplasma pneumonia exhibits a diffuse reticulonodular pattern, in contrast with the lobar consolidation seen in CAP due to S. pneumoniae.

Answer 4: P. jirovecii is a fungal cause of pneumonia in patients with HIV. However, Pneumocystis pneumonia typically occurs in patients with CD4 cell count < 200 cells/μL and would present with diffuse infiltrates on chest radiograph rather than lobar consolidation. Patients with HIV and a CD4 cell count < 200 cells/μL should receive trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as prophylaxis, or dapsone if they have a sulfa allergy.

Bullet Summary:
The most common cause of lobar pneumonia in patients with HIV and a CD4 count > 200 cells/µL is Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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