Title:Concurrence of Talaromycosis and Kaposi Sarcoma in an HIV-Infected Patient: A Case Report
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Xingguo Miao, Hui Ye, Shoufeng Yang and Feifei Su*
Affiliation:
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Zhejiang, 32500,China
Keywords:
HIV infection, talaromycosis, kaposi sarcoma, concurrence, management, cART.
Abstract: Background: Concurrence of talaromycosis, an infection caused by the opportunistic
fungal pathogen Talaromyces marneffei and Kaposi sarcoma, a common vascular tumor, is a rare
but severe medical condition in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Despite poor outcomes, the clinical characteristics and management strategies for HIV-infected patients
with comorbid Kaposi sarcoma and talaromycosis have not been well documented.
Case presentation: A 33-year-old HIV-positive male patient presented to the Department of Infectious
Diseases at Wenzhou Central Hospital with cough, sputum expectoration, hemoptysis, rashes
on the feet and violaceous plaques in the oral cavity. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral
nodules, patchy shadows and lymphadenectasis. Skin biopsy and histopathological examination
indicated Kaposi sarcoma. T. marneffei was isolated from blood cultures and suggested
talaromycosis. The patient’s overall conditions significantly improved following initiation of combination
antiretroviral therapy (cART) and chemotherapy for Kaposi sarcoma and antifungal treatment
for talaromycosis.
Conclusion: Severe medical conditions such as Kaposi sarcoma and talaromycosis may coexist in
HIV-infected patients and pose an increased risk of mortality. Etiological diagnosis and treatment
are the keys to the successful management of HIV-infected patients with these concurrent conditions.
