Abstract
Objective: Do a narrative review about the physiopathology of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in patients with the human immunodeficiency vírus (HIV), its clinical aspects, diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment, with a particular focus on its physiopathology. Literature review: PCP is an opportunistic disease caused by the atypical fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii and is most common in patients infected with the HIV. The disease was responsible for the majority of deaths in HIV+ patients, but with the introduction of anti-retroviral therapy the prevalence in HIV+ patients reduced. Yet, it still remains as an important cause of morbimortality in these patients. Normally, PCP develops in patients who are not yet aware of their seropositivity or who do not adhere to antiretroviral therapy. In addition patients with LT CD4 count <200 cells / mm³ are more susceptible to infection. Final considerations: It was posible to improving the understanding of the course of the disease and its physiopathology of the disease allows adequate care for patients and the development of better means of diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapeutic.