pneumocystis pneumonia
(PCP) a pulmonary disease caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci, occurring in premature or malnourished infants and immunocompromised persons. It is characterized by dyspnea, tachypnea, fever, cough, and cyanosis, with cellular detritus containing plasma cells appearing in the lungs; if untreated it leads to pulmonary consolidation, hypoxemia, and death. Called also pneumocystosis, pneumocystiasis,interstitial plasma cell p., and, formerly, Pneumocystis carinii p.
Medical dictionary.
2011.