Abstract

Increasing numbers of non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals with non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone have been diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia. Pneumocystis pneumonia is a serious infection with a high mortality rate and rapid progression. In these patients, the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia varied from 1.4 % to 13 %, according to a comprehensive literature review. The major clinical symptoms were dry cough, fever, tightness in the chest, progressive dyspnea and hypoxemia. The standard method of diagnosis is Pneumocystis detection in broncho alveolar lavage fluid and high-resolution computed tomography can be detected in diffuse interstitial infiltration of both lungs. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is the main treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia and most studies have shown that preventive use of trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole can help reduce the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia. In order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and the prompt initiation of therapy for treatment and prevention to improve outcomes in these patients, a deeper knowledge of the relationship between rituximab use and the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia and the characteristics of Pneumocystis pneumonia in non-human immunodeficiency virusinfected patients with lymphoma is required.