Background:
Concurrence of talaromycosis, an infection caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Talaromyces
marneffei and Kaposi sarcoma, a common vascular tumor, is a rare but severe medical condition in patients infected with
the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite poor outcomes, the clinical characteristics and management strategies
for HIV-infected patients with comorbid Kaposi sarcoma and talaromycosis have not been well documented.
Case presentation:
A 33-year-old, HIV-positive male patient presented to the Department of Infectious Diseases at Wenzhou
Central Hospital with cough, sputum expectoration, hemoptysis, rashes on the feet and violaceous plaques in the oral
cavity. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral nodules, patchy shadows and lymphadenectasis. Skin biopsy
and histopathological examination indicated Kaposi sarcoma. T. marneffei was isolated from blood cultures and suggested
talaromycosis. The patient’s overall conditions significantly improved following initiation of combination antiretroviral
therapy (cART) and chemotherapy for Kaposi sarcoma and antifungal treatment for talaromycosis.
Conclusions:
Severe medical conditions such as Kaposi sarcoma and talaromycosis may coexist in HIV-infected patients
and pose an increased risk of mortality. Etiological diagnosis and treatment are the key to successful management of HIVinfected
patients with these concurrent conditions.