PENICILLIUM-MARNEFFEI INFECTION IN A NON-HIV INFECTED CHILD

We report a case of Penicillium mameffei infection in a previously hea lthy 3.5 years-old Chinese boy and review the literature. The details of the case are described with emphasis on his immune function and tre atment outcome. This boy had transient immunodeficiency involving phag ocytic and NK cells due to P. mameffei infection which resolved after treatment with gamma interferon and amphotericin B. A prolonged course of fluconazole of 1 year was successful in preventing relapse. Gamma interferon, amphotericin B and a prolonged course of fluconazole may b e useful in the treatment of life-threatening infection by P, marneffe i.