Chest radiographs may reveal interstitial lesions, cavities, fibrotic lesions and mass lesions [101,102]. The diagnosis can be made by direct microscopic Selleck FK866 examination of smears from skin or other lesions that reveal septate yeast forms. Culture of
specimens from the bone marrow, lymph nodes, skin, and other infected sites shows a characteristic red colour on plates and diamorphism, which means that the fungus changes to a hyphal form at a lower temperature. Culture of these lesions is important, because other fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis and cryptococcus, may have similar clinical manifestations [90,103]. There are no widely available serological tests for this disease although antigen can be easily detected in the urine [104]. Penicilliosis should be treated with amphotericin B induction therapy for 2 weeks, followed by itraconazole 200 mg bd orally for 10 weeks and then maintenance therapy 200 mg once a day (category IV recommendation). Penicillium marneffei is sensitive to commonly used antifungals [105]. In Thailand, the greatest
treatment experience has been with intravenous amphotericin B 0.6 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks followed by oral itraconazole 200 mg bd po for a further 10 weeks. This regimen has a response rate of up to 95% and is well tolerated [106]. As discussed for other dimorphic fungi induction therapy with liposomal amphotericin B, 3 mg/kg/day intravenously, for the first 2 weeks should be considered in the UK (category IV recommendation). Itraconazole has been recommended as lifelong Selleck Pirfenidone suppressive therapy in patients infected with HIV who have completed successful treatment of P. marneffei infection [107]; however, there are some recent small case series suggesting that prophylaxis may be safely discontinued when immune reconstitution occurs on ART and individuals have sustained CD4 counts >100 cells/μL [108,109]. Prophylaxis with itraconazole may be considered for
travellers to endemic areas with CD4 counts <100 cells/μL. It has been suggested, based on studies in other systemic mycoses [110] and a small trial in Thailand [111], that itraconazole 200 mg once a day orally be given as prophylaxis to travellers to the Progesterone endemic areas who have CD4 counts <100 cells/μL [112]. There is little information on the impact of HAART on penicilliosis, but in Thailand the incidence appears low in individuals receiving HAART [113]. Most cases of penicilliosis occur at very low CD4 cell counts where HAART is indicated by current guidance. However, HAART should be commenced in all patients diagnosed with penicilliosis as soon as a clinical response is noted to treatment of penicilliosis. There is little information on IRIS due to penicilliosis but as with other dimorphic fungi it is a possible presentation. "
“Atazanavir (ATV) has demonstrated high efficacy and safety in both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients.
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