Penicillium marneffei presenting as an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in a patient with advanced HIV

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jan 28:2013:bcr2012007555. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007555.

Abstract

A 62-year-old British man with advanced HIV was established on antiretroviral therapy and treatment for disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex and Cytomegalovirus infections. One month later he re-presented with epigastric pain, an epigastric mass and skin lesions. Abdominal imaging revealed large volume lymphadenopathy, which was not present on previous imaging. Blood cultures yielded Penicillium marneffei, a dimorphic fungus endemic to South-east Asia. The patient had spent several years travelling in Thailand prior to the diagnosis of HIV. Penicilliosis is a common AIDS-defining illness in endemic areas, but remains rare in Europe. In this case, it presented in the context of a rapidly decreasing viral load as an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. The challenges of management in the context of multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses / diagnosis*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Mycoses / etiology
  • Penicillium*
  • Splenomegaly / etiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents