Clinical and laboratory characteristics of penicilliosis marneffei among patients with and without HIV infection in Northern Thailand: A retrospective study

• Main Authors: Kawila R., Chaiwarith R., Supparatpinyo K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84884929511&partnerID=40&md5=53714b36681cdc85b5c0ede2fb98c6c9; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/4238
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Background: Penicilliosis marneffei is increasingly observed in individuals without HIV infection. This study aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory features among HIV infected and uninfected individuals with penicilliosis marneffei.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011 at Chiang Mai University Hospital. We included individuals who were ≥15 years of age and presented with culture-proven P. marneffei infection.Results: 116 HIV-infected and 34 HIV-uninfected patients were enrolled. Comparing to HIV-infected patients, HIV-uninfected patients were older; less likely to have fever, splenomegaly, and umbilicated skin lesions; more likely to have Sweet's syndrome and bone and joint infections; had higher white blood cell count, platelet count, and CD4 cell count; had lower alanine transaminase (ALT); and less likely to have positive fungal blood cultures. The mortality rates were 20.7% and 29.4% among HIV infected and uninfected patients, respectively.Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of penicilliosis marneffei are different between patients with and without HIV infection. Physician's awareness of this disease in HIV-uninfected patients may prompt the diagnosis and timely treatment, and can lead to a better outcome. © 2013 Kawila et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.