Case Report: Talaromyces marneffei infections associated with pharyngeal and laryngeal injuries in three children with aberrant innate immunity: a case series

TL;DR

This case series reports three children with Talaromyces marneffei infections showing pharyngeal and laryngeal injuries, highlighting a rare clinical manifestation in HIV-negative pediatric patients.

Contribution

The study identifies pharyngeal and laryngeal injuries as a novel clinical feature in HIV-negative children with T. marneffei infections.

Findings

Three HIV-negative children with T. marneffei infections exhibited pharyngeal and laryngeal injuries.

Pharyngeal and laryngeal injuries are rare manifestations of T. marneffei infections in pediatric populations.

These findings suggest a broader clinical spectrum of T. marneffei infections beyond traditional organ targets.

Abstract

Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei) is a pathogenic yeast that causes high fatality rates among immunocompromised individuals. The organism appears to target the lungs, liver, gut-associated lymphoid tissues, lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, kidneys, and the tonsils in the affected individuals. Evidence suggests that the lungs and liver are seriously injured in T. marneffei infections. Injuries to the pharyngeal and laryngeal compartments have seldom been reported.

Three pediatric patients with T. marneffei infections were admitted to the Guangzhou Women and Children's Center between August 2015 and March 2023. All three children showed evidence of pharyngeal and laryngeal injuries.

Damage to the pharyngeal and laryngeal compartments appears to be an important clinical manifestation among HIV-negative pediatric individuals with a T. marneffei infection.

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