Background: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), caused by P. jirovecii, is one of the opportunistic fungal infections that can cause life-threatening pneumonia in children with underlying diseases. Due to the similarity of the symptoms of PCP with other lung infections, such as tuberculosis, differential and accurate diagnosis is necessary. The current study investigated the molecular diagnosis of P. jirovecii, predisposing factors, and the outcomes, among pediatric inpatients in Northeastern Iran. Method: In this study, 180 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens were obtained from hospitalized children with respiratory disorders. The specimens were examined using Giemsa stain, and the genomic DNA was extracted according to the protocol of the AmpliSens® kit. Real-time polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect P. jirovecii by the AmpliSens Pneumocystis jirovecii ( carinii)-FRT PCR kit. Results: Among the patients studied, 34 (18.9%) were positive, and 8 (4.4%) were suspicious for the presence of P. jirovecii. Among the 34 positive cases, 12 (35%) were related to before, and 22 (65%) were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 2 cases (5.88%) of the positive cases detected by Real-time PCR method were observed using Giemsa staining. Also, no correlation was observed between positive cases of infection and the sex, the outcomes, and underlying diseases. Conclusion: The results showed that PCP has a relatively high prevalence among pediatric inpatients with respiratory disorders. Neutropenia is a significant predisposing factor in these patients. However, there is no correlation between PCP cases and the outcomes and underlying diseases. Most of patients with PCP were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pulmonary inflammatory myo-fibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare condition in normal population and specifically in pediatric population. We reported a 9-year-old male child presented by cough and intermittent fever and weight-loss that was mostly suggestive for infectious process. We reviewed the consideration of diagnosis and treatment and other previous cases.

Pulmonary infections represent the major causes of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis(CF). Here, we report a3-month old infant with pancreatic insufficient CF was hospitalized with positive RT-PCRtest for COVID-19. He was treated successfully. Hypertonic saline can be hypothesized as a treatment regimen against COVID-19 infection after further investigation

Introduction: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease with progressive lung disease, malnutrition, liver disease and CF-related diabetes (1). Viral infections are a major factor causing pulmonary exacerbations in CF (2). COVID-19 has caused a worldwide pandemic with high death rates. As science suggests, patients with CF would be severely affected with a high rate of morbidity, hospitalization and mortality. In a recent study published by Cosgriff et al. (3) people with CF who were 15 years and older, infected with COVID-19 appear to have better outcomes than initially anticipated. We report the only two cases of CF in literature less than 15 years of age with better than expected outcomes post COVID-19 infection and discuss the possible effects of hypertonic Saline as a plausible explanation.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease with chronic lung disease that is exacerbated by viral infection. COVID-19 has caused a worldwide pandemic with high death rates. As science suggests, patients with CF would be severely affected with a high rate of morbidity, hospitalization and mortality. Our aim was to present two cases with CF in highly prevalent COVID-19 regions of the world.