Advances in Genomics Research of Pneumocystis Species

Abstract Pneumocystis species are fungi found in the lungs of most mammals. These fungi are opportunistic and host-obligate pathogens that cause Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans with the compromised immune system. Due to a parasitic life style and lack of an ex vivo culture system, Pneumocystis species still present a challenge to understanding their pathobiology and developing new drugs. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in the study of these organisms that became possible with the advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies. Such aspects of Pneumocystis biology as metabolism, life cycle, host-pathogen interaction, polymorphism, and drug resistance are discussed.