Pneumocystis pneumonia Statistics

Before the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, PCP was very uncommon. In fact, unusual clusters of PCP were one of the first signs that the HIV/AIDS epidemic was beginning. PCP soon became one of the main AIDS-defining illnesses in HIV-infected patients in the United States. Since then, the incidence of PCP in HIV/AIDS patients has declined in the U.S. due to the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and TMP-SMX prophylaxis. However, PCP is still a serious health concern for people with HIV/AIDS or other conditions that weaken the immune system.

In the U.S., the incidence of PCP is estimated to be 9% among hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients and 1% among solid organ transplant recipients. In immunocompromised patients, the mortality rate ranges from 5% to 40% in those who receive treatment. The mortality rate approaches 100% without therapy.