Rituximab identified as an independent risk factor for severe PJP: A case-control study

OBJECTIVE: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) was reported among immunosuppressed patients with deficits in cell-mediated immunity and in patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs. The aim of this study was to identify risk-factors for PJP in noninfected HIV patients. METHODS: This retrospective, test negative, case-control study was conducted in six hospitals in Israel, 2006–2016. Cases were hospitalized HIV-negative patients with pneumonia diagnosed as PJP by bronchoalveolar lavage. Controls were similar patients negative for PJP. RESULTS: Seventy-six cases and 159 controls were identified. Median age was 63.7 years, 65% males, 34% had hematological malignancies, 11% inflammatory diseases, 47% used steroids and 9% received antilymphocyte monoclonal antibodies. PJP was independently associated with antilymphocyte monoclonal antibodies (OR 11.47, CI 1.50–87.74), high-dose steroid treatment (OR 4.39, CI 1.52–12.63), lymphopenia (OR 8.13, CI 2.48–26.60), low albumin (OR 0.15, CI 0.40–0.54) and low BMI (OR 0.80, CI 0.68–0.93). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, rituximab, which is prescribed for a wide variety of malignant and inflammatory disorders, was found to be significant risk-factor for PJP. Increased awareness of possible PJP infection in this patient population is warranted.