What is talaromycosis?
Invasive talaromycosis is a life-threatening disease caused by the fungus Talaromyces marneffei, a pathogenic dimorphic fungus found in soil and decaying wood.1
Pathogenesis
Talaromycosis is acquired through inhalation of Talaromyces marneffei spores.1 It affects the lungs, as well as the blood, central nervous system and other organs.1 Symptoms include bumps on the skin, fever, discomfort, weight loss, cough, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, swelling of the liver and spleen, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.2 Clinical manifestations and outcomes of talaromycosis can differ in people with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with systemic infection more common in patients with HIV.2
Epidemiology
Talaromyces marneffei is endemic to South-East Asia and some areas of China.1,3 Annual incidence is estimated at 17,300 cases.4
Mortality rate of talaromycosis is estimated at 12–21% in patients with HIV.1
Risk factors
Risk factors for talaromycosis include:1–3
- Immune deficiency (e.g. HIV)
- Cancer
- Organ transplant
- Agricultural work
Pathogenic species
Talaromycosis (formerly known as penicilliosis) is caused by the fungus Talaromyces marneffei (formerly Penicillium marneffei).2
References
- WHO fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development and public health action. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240060241. Accessed July 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Talaromycosis (formerly penicilliosis). 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/other/talaromycosis.html Accessed July 2023.
- Thompson GR et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021;21:e364–e374.
- Wang F et al. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2023;36:e0005122.