Analysis of non-HIV Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in infants using metagenomics next-generation sequencing

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of non-HIV Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in infants in order to gain a greater understanding of the microbial composition of the lower respiratory tract in infants with severe pneumonia.Methods: The clinical characteristics of 16 children with non-HIV PCP (the PCP group) and 33 children with severe pneumonia (the control group) who were hospitalized at the same time were retrospectively analyzed. Using metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS), the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the two groups was analyzed and the microbial results and clinical data of the two groups compared.Results: Compared with the control group, the children in the PCP group had a lower incidence of cough (25% vs. 78.8%; P 0.05).Conclusion: Clinicians should be alert to non-HIV PCP in infants under the age of six months. MNGS is helpful for early and clear diagnosis, leading to more precise treatment and reduced mortality.