Disseminated Penicillium marneffei infection in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Penicillium marneffei is a rare human pathogen in Southeast Asia and Southern China. A 26-year-old heterosexual male had intermittent fever, diarrhea and weight loss for 3 months. He was severely immune deficient (CD4+ count, 4/microL) and serologic tests for antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 were positive. P. marneffei infection was disseminated with involvement of the liver, spleen and bone marrow. The diagnosis was established by histologic examination and confirmed by isolation of the fungus. This infection responded well to amphotericin B. He was discharged with maintenance therapy of itraconazole and continued to be stable during his 2-month follow-up.