HIV-child with disseminated Talaromyces Marneffei (Penicillium marneffei) infection: a rare severe case report

BACKGROUND: Talaromyces Marneffei (Penicillium marneffei, T.marneffei) has been frequently reported in patients with adult acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Still, cases of children with HIV combined with T.marneffei infection are very rare. This report describes the case of a HIV-child who is a girl from China. Her special clinical manifestations and laboratory diagnosis results can provide clinicians with the basis for diagnosis and treatment of T.marneffei related rare diseases. CASE PRESNTATION: We reported a single case of 7-year-old Chinese female patient who presented with fever, abdominal pain, multiple lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, left lower extremity ecchymosis, and bloody stool. The patient received anti-inflammatory therapy; however, her symptoms did not improve. Consequently, she was diagnosed with T.marneffei and HIV infection; it was also confirmed that her mother did not undergo HIV blocking therapy during pregnancy. Yet, the child’s family refused all treatment, after which the child was discharged from the hospital. The patient died a few days later. CONCLUSION: This case suggested that children with AIDS suffering from fever, lymphadenopathy and coagulation dysfunction, penicilliosis should be suspected. Clinicians should diagnose the disease early through laboratory and imaging results, which can help reduce the mortality, prolong the survival time and improve the quality of life of children.