Acute histoplasmosis is usually a benign, self-limited infection in endemic areas. Since protection against Histoplasma capsulatum infection requires specific, cell-mediated immunity, histoplasmosis is well documented in patients with acquired T cell deficiencies e.g. due to HIV infection. We report here for the first time a case of pleural effusion due to H. capsulatum infection in a patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia (ICL). A 25-year-old woman presented with chest pain, dyspnea on exertion and a moderate weight loss. Chest X-ray showed a large left pleural effusion, and thoracentesis yielded an exudate. Histologic examination of pleural biopsies identified H. capsulatum. Laboratory tests revealed lymphocytopenia with low CD4+ T cell counts (<100/µl) and a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio. Serology, including HIV, was repeatedly negative. The diagnosis of pleural effusion due to H. capsulatum infection in a patient with idiophatic ICL was established. There was no evidence of any other opportunistic infection. Treatment with itraconazole was initiated and pleural effusion resolved within 2 weeks of treatment. Moreover, the patient was found to have idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, as confirmed by the detection of autoantibodies against thrombocytes. In a 1-year follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic without relapse or any new infection. Treatment with itraconazole was given for 12 months. Because of persistent CD4+ T cell counts below 100/µl, prophylactic antibiotic treatment is continued.

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Local Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is an effective and widely used treatment for superficial bladder carcinoma. Local side effects are frequent, whereas systemic side effects are rare, but more serious. Systemic BCG infection as a life-threatening complication of intravesical BCG instillation should be suspected in any patient who presents with persistent fever after BCG instillation for bladder cancer. A 62-year-old patient had been treated with 6 intravesical BCG instillations for recurrent, multifocal bladder carcinoma. 4 weeks after the last instillation, he presented with fever, malaise and scleral icterus. Laboratory tests revealed abnormal liver function tests, panzytopenia and signs of coagulation disorder. Bone marrow biopsy and liver biopsy showed noncaseating granulomas. Systemic BCG infection was suspected and antituberculous therapy combined with steroids was started. The patient developed severe sepsis and suffered from multiple organ failure. Despite partial improvement, the course was complicated by intracranial sinus thrombosis, and the patient died two month after admission.

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