Opinions on Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis in autoimmune neuromuscular disorders

Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJ) is ubiquitously present in the environment and capable of causing an interstitial pneumonia in immunocompromised subjects. It has been advocated that routine prophylaxis against PJ be given to patients with autoimmune neuromuscular conditions that require prolonged use of corticosteroid therapy and/or other immunosuppressive agents. Available data, however, suggest that the risk of PJ infection in patients with autoimmune neuromuscular diseases is extremely low and the widespread use of prophylactic therapy is likely unnecessary. Comorbidities, including intestinal lung disease, prolonged lymphopenia, low CD4 count, parenchymal organ failure, and active cancer status, appear to increase the risk for PJ infection, and it is our opinion that these risk factors should be considered to determine the risk of PJ infection and the requirement for prophylaxis.

Automated summary

The risk of PJ infection in patients with autoimmune neuromuscular diseases is extremely low, suggesting that widespread use of prophylactic therapy is likely unnecessary. However, certain comorbidities may increase the risk for PJ infection, and these risk factors should be considered when determining the need for prophylaxis.