MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY ON-LINE

Glucocorticoids (GC) are used as part of multiple drug therapy for several neoplasms (McKay and Cidlowski, 2003 Poetker and Reh 2010) e.g., dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone Systemic GC therapy is associated with dose-dependent increased risk of infection with common viral, bacterial, and fungal (mainly Candida species) pathogens. Patients taking GCs may not show obvious signs and symptoms of infection due to inhibition of cytokine release and reduced inflammatory and febrile responses. Opportunistic infections with low virulence microbes usually occur in patients with profound immunosuppression, those receiving prolonged GCs and other immunosuppressive drugs for underlying immunosuppressive conditions (hematologic malignancy). Example: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia