Pneumocystis Infection in Pregnant Women: A Scoping Review
https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/327
This scoping review aims to map the existing evidence on Pneumocystis infection or colonization during pregnancy, providing a detailed overview of the prevalence, risk factors, diagnostic challenges, and outcomes reported in the literature. The review adopts the Arksey and O’Malley framework for scoping studies, which emphasizes a systematic approach to identifying and analyzing the breadth of available evidence. In doing so, this review seeks to identify research gaps, inform clinical practice, and propose directions for future research on this critical yet under-represented topic.
Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic fungus that causes severe pneumonia in immunosuppressed individuals. While Pneumocystis colonization, a subclinical form of infection, has been studied in different populations, its implications during pregnancy remain poorly understood. Given the immune modulation of pregnancy, maternal colonization or infection may contribute to vertical transmission and neonatal respiratory complications. This scoping review aims to map the existing evidence on Pneumocystis colonization/infection during pregnancy, identifying knowledge gaps, prevalence, risk factors, and potential neonatal outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted in three databases following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 26 studies were included, covering Pneumocystis pneumonia cases (n = 19) and Pneumocystis colonization (n = 7). The review found that most Pneumocystis pneumonia cases in pregnant women were associated with HIV before antiretroviral therapy. More recent cases were related to hematologic malignancies. Pneumocystis colonization rates varied widely (5.4–46.5%). Evidence of vertical transmission was observed, but neonatal impact remains underexplored. This review highlights the need for HIV screening in pregnant women and the need to include Pneumocystis in the diagnosis of pregnant women with pneumonia. Increased awareness and research on Pneumocystis in pregnancy are necessary to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Future studies should focus on vertical transmission and neonatal respiratory health.
