Metagenomic next-generation sequencing assisted in the successful treatment of pneumonia caused by Talaromyces marneffei in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract

Introduction: Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei), a kind of endemic opportunistic pathogen, was previously thought to occur in HIV-positive individuals and non-HIV hosts with impaired immune function. However, the infection of T. marneffei in patient with normal immune function was rarely reported.

Case Presentation: We report a case of severe pneumonia caused by T. marneffei in an immunocompetent and HIV-negative patient, which was rapidly confirmed by metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and treated successfully. The patient was a previously healthy 63-year-old male, who was admitted to hospital with fever for 11 days, cough and sputum for 1 week, and chest distress for 4 days. The infection of T. marneffei was quickly determined by alveolar lavage under bedside bronchoscope and mNGS test.

Results: Patient’s condition improved rapidly after voriconazole treatment, and he was evaluated as a HIV-negative case of T. marneffei infection with normal immune function. This is a sporadic case of T. marneffei in non-endemic areas, and mNGS played a very important role in the treatment of the disease. The patient’s immune function was relatively normal which was rare in clinical practice.