Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei infection

A 41-year-old man from the emergency department presented with fever for 2 weeks, sore throat, dry cough and generalized umbilicated skin lesions (face (Fig. 1), and chest (Fig. 2)). HIV antibody was positive, CD4+ count was 2/μL. His skin swab, sputum and blood culture all yielded Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei (Fig. 3). Talaromyces marneffei is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected and other immunosuppressed patients who live in or are from endemic areas especially Southeast Asia. Amphotericin B or Itraconazole should be initiated as soon as possible for patients with talaromycosis.