title: Penicillium marneffei infection in an African man.
abstract: Penicilliosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Penicillium marneffei. The infection is most commonly seen in Southeast Asia, Southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. It is rarely seen among individuals of African descent. Here, we report a case of penicilliosis in an African man from Namibia who was studying in Malaysia. He presented with multiple umbilicated papules associated with cough, fever, loss of appetite, and weight. He also had urethral discharge and admitted to unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners. Histopathological examination of a skin papule showed the presence of multiple 2 to 4 microm intracellular yeast cells. Culture of the papule revealed Penicillium marneffei. The serology for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was positive. This case illustrates the need to recognize penicilliosis in any individuals staying or travelling to Southeast Asia and the need to look for underlying HIV infection in adults with umbilicated papules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Felix Boon-Bin
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Yap
authors.forename: Suganthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thevarajah
authors.forename: Johar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asmah
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009761:Nystatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010407:Penicillium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014526:Urethritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009761:Nystatin; D017964:Itraconazole; D004318:Doxycycline