Background: Trichosporon beigelii, causal agent of white piedra can cause disseminated infection in immunodepressed subjects. Systemic infections due to this pathogen have been reported mainly in neutropenic patients and rarely in AIDS patients.
Case report: A 36-year-old HIV+ man from Senegal was hospitalized for fever and meningoencephalitis associated with skin lesions. T. beigelii was isolated from skin biopsies and cerebrospinal fluid cultures. The patients was treated with amphotericin B with regression of the skin lesions. The diagnosis of disseminated T. beigelii infection was retained.
Discussion: Disseminated T. beigelii infections are known to occur in immunodepressed subjects, especially in case of neutropenia. In our patient, the presence of two proven localizations (meninges and skin) and the favorable outcome with amphotericin B favored disseminated infection. The good response to treatment can probably be explained by the absence of neutropenia. Skin lesions are frequent, usually occurring as disseminated papulae or purpural nodules. Pathology examination and skin biopsy culture can provide rapid diagnosis allowing appropriate treatment.