The pathology biopsy represents the "gold standard" for diagnosis: a case report

A 70-year-old male with previously unknown immunodeficiency presented with multiple pulmonary nodular shadows observed on chest and abdomen radiography. Fungal infection was detected in brushing specimens, bronchial lavage, and transbronchial lung biopsy samples. Through next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, the patient was ultimately diagnosed with disseminated Talaromyces marneffei infection. Treatment with voriconazole at a dosage of 200 mg every 12 hours was initiated. However, after three months of treatment, the patient still had enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and a lymph node aspiration biopsy was performed to further clarify the diagnosis, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of Talaromyces marneffei infection and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The main significance of this study is to emphasize the importance for clinicians to obtain comprehensive specimens from patients presenting with multiple masses in order to ensure accurate clinical diagnosis.