Disease: Advanced HIV disease

The dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei: An opportunistic killer in Southeast Asia

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Talaromyces marneffei is a dangerous fungus found in Southeast Asian soils that causes serious lung infections when people breathe in its spores. The fungus has a clever trick: it transforms into different forms depending on temperature and hides inside immune cells by tricking them. People with weak immune systems, particularly those with advanced HIV/AIDS or certain genetic conditions, are most vulnerable to severe disease.

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mGem: Sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in the context of advanced HIV disease

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This review examines how serious infections (sepsis) from bacteria and fungi affect people with advanced HIV disease, particularly in hospitals. The infections have become more dangerous due to antimicrobial resistance, and many cases go undiagnosed because of limited laboratory capabilities. The paper calls for better diagnostic tools and treatment strategies tailored to resource-limited settings where most advanced HIV disease cases occur.

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The dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei: An opportunistic killer in Southeast Asia

mycolabadmin

Talaromyces marneffei is a dangerous fungus found in Southeast Asian soil that people inhale, causing a serious disease called talaromycosis. The fungus is particularly deadly for people with weakened immune systems like those with advanced HIV. The fungus has evolved clever tricks to hide from and manipulate the body’s immune system, allowing it to multiply inside immune cells called macrophages.

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Photo Quiz: A cutaneous fungal infection with discordant biomarker results—a diagnostic challenge

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A woman with advanced HIV infection presented with skin sores and respiratory symptoms that were initially suspected to be a viral infection. Testing revealed she had histoplasmosis, a serious fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum that had spread throughout her body affecting her skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. While standard tests for this fungus were negative, other fungal markers and cultures eventually confirmed the diagnosis, and she was treated with antifungal medications.

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