Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in Serum for the Diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies-A Retrospective Case Control Study.

Given its invasive nature, non-invasive diagnostic methods are desirable.

Serum P. jirovecii PCR was positive in 20/41 cases (49%) and in 15/29 patients with PCP (52%), while no controls were serum PCR-positive.

For detection of P. jirovecii in the lower respiratory tract, sensitivity was 49% and specificity 100%.

Detectable serum P. jirovecii DNA was associated with higher P. jirovecii load in respiratory tract samples and higher β-D-glucan levels, but not with the presence or severity of pneumonia.