Why is LDH Elevated in PCP?

Why is LDH elevated in PCP?

Pneumocytsis Carinii Pneumoniae is one serious disease that is most commonly associated with individuals who were diagnosed to have HIV or AIDS. Although this condition can also occur to persons who are defined to have a weak immune system, such as those who have cancer and those whose medications can alter the sustainability of one’s natural body defenses. Also known as PCP, this health condition is considered many most health experts to be a complication of an existing HIV infection that greatly affects the lungs. It is one of the most common opportunistic diseases that greatly compromise one’s health affecting almost all systems of the body, especially the respiratory system. PCP is evidenced by fever, non-productive cough, shortness of breath, night sweats and weight loss. Systemic invasion can possibly occur that is most likely to affect the liver, spleen and kidney.
In PCP, an enzyme known as LDH or Lactose Dehydrogenase is one marker that may be non-specific but can provide information on the severity of the person’s condition. The reason why LDH is elevated in PCP is because of the alteration and eventual damage of the normal cellular formation process that is due to the complications that has occurred. In conjunction with this, PCP tends to decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood since the opportunistic microorganism has largely invaded the entire lungs, thereby triggering the lungs to malfunction. When there is excessively low supply of oxygen, lactate is produced as a substitute. This then causes the LDH to rise beyond its indicated therapeutic level. Although not a specific indicator for PCP, the possibility of having this disease is greater when levels are obviously high and more than its range.
That is why, it is important for each one to be conscious of one’s health.