Dictionary

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

noun Pneu·mo·cys·tis ca·ri·nii pneumonia \ˌnü-mə-ˈsis-təs-kə-ˈrī-nē-ˌē-, ˌnyü-\

Definition of PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA

:  a pneumonia chiefly affecting immunocompromised individuals that is caused by a microorganism (Pneumocystis carinii syn. P. jiroveci), attacks especially the interstitial and alveolar tissues of the lungs, and is characterized especially by a nonproductive cough, shortness of breath, and fever —abbreviation PCP
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA

New Latin Pneumocystis carinii, species name
First Known Use: 1964
Medical Dictionary

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

noun Pneumocystis ca·ri·nii pneumonia \-kə-ˈrī-nē-ˌē-\

Medical Definition of PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA

:  a pneumonia chiefly affecting immunocompromised individuals that is caused by a microorganism of the genus Pneumocystis (P. carinii) which shows up in specially stained preparations of fresh infected lung tissue as cysts containing six to eight oval bodies, that attacks especially the interstitial and alveolar tissues of the lungs, and that is characterized especially by a nonproductive cough, shortness of breath, and fever—abbreviation PCP; called also pneumocystic pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: pneumodynamicPrevious Word in the Dictionary: pneumoconiosisAll Words Near: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears