Massive hepatosplenomegaly caused by Penicillium marneffei associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection in a Thai patient.
A 29 year old Thai woman presented with non-specific features and examination revealed left upper zone consolidation and hepatosplenomegaly. The initial clinical differential diagnosis included tuberculosis and melioidosis. She died four days after admission, while still under investigation. Postmortem examination revealed antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus, disseminated Penicillium marneffei infection, and Salmonella enteritidis infection. Penicillium marneffei is a well described AIDS defining pathogen in South East Asia but is very rare in the UK. Appropriate antifungal treatment may be associated with a successful outcome. Increased awareness of this clinical association may enable correct diagnosis in affected patients from South East Asia presenting within the UK.
Bateman
A C
AC
Department of Histopathology, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. adrian.bateman@suht.swest.nhs.uk
Jones
G R
GR
O'Connell
S
S
Clark
F J
FJ
Plummeridge
M
M
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications*; D010407:Penicillium; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000382:microbiology*