Pneumocystis pneumonia associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection without elevated (1 → 3)-ß-D glucan: A case report.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii is one of the most common opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed patients, particularly in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). (1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucan is a component of the cell wall of P. jirovecii and other fungi such as Candida sp., Aspergillus sp. and Histoplasma sp. The measurement of serum (1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucan has been reported to be a highly sensitive test for PCP related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-PCP). We report a case of HIV-PCP not associated with elevated serum (1 â†’ 3)-ß-D glucan and highlight how HIV-PCP cannot be completely ruled out if (1 â†’ 3)-ß-D glucan is negative.