Two imported cases of Penicillium marneffei infection in Belgium

Acta Clin Belg. 1998 Aug;53(4):255-8. doi: 10.1080/17843286.1998.11754171.

Abstract

Two imported cases of Penicillium marneffei infection in Belgium are reported. Both patients are Thai women co-infected with HIV. P. marneffei infection should be suspected in immunocompromised patients originating or travelling from South-East Asia with unexplained fever (> 38 degrees C), weight loss, a generalised lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, skin lesions, cough and anaemia. Diagnosis is made by culture and/or histopathological examination. Mild to moderate infections are treated with itraconazole 400 mg/day as first choice. Amphotericin B parenteral therapy may be required for seriously ill patients. Maintenance therapy with itraconazole 200 mg/day is necessary to prevent relapses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Belgium
  • Dermatomycoses / diagnosis
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fever / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Lymphatic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Lymphatic Diseases / microbiology
  • Mycoses / diagnosis*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Penicillium*
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Thailand / ethnology
  • Travel*
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole
  • Amphotericin B