Velez Pintado Mariana, RodrÃÂguez Badillo Paulina
Pneumocystis choroiditis, is a rare manifestation of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection, that typically occurs in people that live with advanced HIV. This presentation reflects disseminated disease, often associated with Pneumocystis pneumonia, and is primarily diagnosed through ocular examination and imaging. We present the case of a 52-year-old woman with newly diagnosed, untreated HIV, who developed Pneumocystis pneumonia and choroiditis. The patient presented respiratory symptoms and persistent tinnitus. Initial management involved trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, steroids were added through the evolution of the infection. Despite clinical improvement, the patient experienced sudden deterioration, culminating in cardiorespiratory arrest. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and ophthalmology evaluation in patients that live with advanced HIV and Pneumocystis pneumonia, as pneumocystis choroiditis is a marker of disseminated disease. Although the use of prophylactic treatments like pentamidine has been associated with this infection, our case underscores the occurrence of pneumocystis choroiditis in the absence of prior prophylaxis. Further research is needed to establish optimal management strategies and the role of steroids in such cases.
