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Penicillium marneffei--an indicator disease of AIDS: a case report

Khuraijam Ranjana Devi1, Laishram Rajesh Singh, Rita Rajkumari

  • 1Departments of Microbiology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur. ranjanakhu@rediffmail.com

Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology
|September 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Penicillium marneffei causes penicilliosis, an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with AIDS. This fungus, found in bamboo rats in Southeast Asia, serves as an AIDS indicator disease.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Penicillium marneffei (PM) is the sole dimorphic species in the Penicillium genus.
  • It is the causative agent of penicilliosis marneffei, an opportunistic fungal infection.
  • This infection is prevalent in Southeast Asia, particularly among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals, and is considered an AIDS-defining illness.

Observation:

  • A case study highlights penicilliosis marneffei in a patient with undiagnosed, late-stage AIDS, reinforcing its role as an indicator disease.
  • Penicilliosis has been documented in India, specifically in Manipur, a region with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
  • The fungus was initially isolated from a bamboo rat, leading to further ecological investigations.

Findings:

  • Four species of bamboo rats across Southeast Asia (Rhizomys sinensis, R. pruinosus, R. sumatrensis, and Cannomys badius) have been identified as reservoirs for Penicillium marneffei.
  • In Manipur, India, Penicillium marneffei has been specifically isolated from Cannomys badius.

Implications:

  • Patients presenting with penicilliosis marneffei require immediate HIV counseling and testing if their status is unknown.
  • Further research into the ecology and epidemiology of Penicillium marneffei is crucial for public health strategies.
  • Understanding the transmission dynamics between bamboo rats and humans is essential for disease prevention in endemic areas.

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