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Tracheobronchial Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei) infections among non-HIV-infected patients are rare. To improve understanding, we analysed the clinical features, immune mechanisms, treatment, and prognosis. Data on hospitalized patients with tracheobronchial T. marneffei infections from September 2013 to May 2022 were collected. The clinical and imaging features were analysed. Nineteen patients were enrolled, with a median age of 52 years (45–62 years). The most common symptoms were cough, expectoration, fever, weight loss, and anaemia. The total white blood cell and neutrophil counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and globulin were increased, and the serum albumin levels were decreased. Chest CT manifestations included patchy shadows, masses, obstructive atelectasis, cavities, pleural effusion, and hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The fibreoptic bronchoscopy findings included masses, polyps or nodules with mucosal oedema, hypertrophic bulges, lumen stenosis or obstruction, and purulent secretions. T. marneffei infection was confirmed in 10 patients by positive culture, in five by both culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), in two by mNGS, in one by culture and pathology and in 1 by histopathology. BALF (15/19, 78.9%) had the highest culture positive rate, followed by sputum (3/19), bronchial mucosa (1/1), lung biopsy (1/2); 36.8% of the patients were coinfected with other pathogens. For induction therapy, 7, 6, 2, and 4 patients received voriconazole, amphotericin B, voriconazole combined with amphotericin B, and fluconazole therapy, respectively, and 26.3% received treatment combined with nebulization and/or administration of amphotericin B under fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Four patients were treated for underlying diseases or coinfection, 31.6% were cured, 42.1% improved, and 26.3% died. T. marneffei infection is common in the tracheobronchial airway tissue or secretions, and bronchoscopy has important diagnostic and treatment value. Antifungal therapy, including systemic therapy, involves triazoles and amphotericin administration, and aerosol inhalation and administration of amphotericin B under bronchoscopy are important. T. marneffei infection involving the tracheobronchial region in airway tissue or secretions is high, and bronchoscopy has important value in diagnosing and treating these patients The use of triazoles and amphotericin and the aerosol inhalation and instillation of amphotericin B under bronchoscopy are essential to antifungal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Inflammatory markers are indicators of co-infections. • Age is an important predisposing factor for Talaromyces marneffei infection in patients who are HIV-negative. • Persistent infection is more likely to occur in patients with Talaromyces marneffei infection who are HIV-negative. • Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most common co-infection in HIV-negative hosts. Talaromyces marneffei is an emerging pathogen, and the number of infections in HIV-negative individuals is rapidly increasing. Nevertheless, there is no sufficient comprehensive report on this issue, and awareness needs to be raised among clinicians. We analyzed the differences in the clinical data of patients who are HIV-negative and HIV-positive with Talaromyces marneffei infection (TMI) from 2018 to 2022. A total of 848 patients were included, among whom 104 were HIV-negative. The obvious differences between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups were as follows: (i) the patients who are HIV-negative were older and more likely to exhibit cough and rash, (ii) the time in days from symptom onset to diagnosis among patients who are HIV-negative was longer, (iii) the laboratory findings and radiological presentations seemed more severe in patients who are HIV-negative, (iv) differences were observed regarding the underlying conditions and co-infection pathogens, and correlation analysis showed that correlations existed for many indicators, (v) and persistent infection was more likely to occur in patients who are HIV-negative. TMI in patients who are HIV-negative differs from that in patients who are HIV-positive in many aspects, and more investigations are needed. Clinicians should be more aware of TMI in patients who are HIV-negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of transplant recipients infected with Talaromyces marneffei (TM). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 2 patients with Talaromycosis marneffei (TSM) and transplants at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, and a systematic literature review was conducted simultaneously. Results: This article reported two patients after kidney transplantation who developed fever, cough within 3– 4 months. Their haemoglobin was decreased. Their chest computed tomography (CT) showed nodules. TM was detected in their blood or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples by next-generation sequencing (NGS). After antifungal treatment with voriconazole (VOR), one patient worsened, the other patient died. A total of 21 patients with TSM after transplants were reported in the literature review. Fourteen underwent kidney transplantation, 4 underwent liver transplantation, 2 underwent lung transplantation, and 1 underwent bone marrow transplantation. The median time from initiating the postoperative immunosuppressive therapy to the onset of symptoms or disease changes was 18 (0.5– 140) months. Among them, 9 patients developed fever, 7 patients developed cough or expectoration and 4 patients developed dyspnoea. Haemoglobin was decreased in 10 patients. Pulmonary nodules were found in 7 patients. Among the 21 patients, 7 were diagnosed by positive culture, 6 by biopsy, 5 by culture and biopsy. Of the 21 patients, 13 patients improved by antifungal therapy, 8 patients worsened or died. Seven patients who received amphotericin B followed by itraconazole (ITR) therapy all improved. Regarding the use of immunosuppressants in 12 patients, 9 patients had to discontinue or reduce their medications (6 patients improved, 3 patients worsened or died). Conclusion: Patients with TSM after transplant often have disseminated infections, involving the respiratory, hematopoietic and so on. Fever, cough, decreased haemoglobin and pulmonary nodules often occur approximately 18 months after surgery. The combined applications of culture, biopsy, NGS are helpful for an early diagnosis. Antifungal therapy with amphotericin B followed by itraconazole is recommended, and the dosage of the immunosuppressant should be adjusted timely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies predispose patients to Talaromyces marneffei infection, whether this is mediated by T cell attenuation remains elusive. Methods: Total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors or patients with T. marneffei infection were stimulated with M158− 66, and immunodominant influenza H1N1 peptide, or heat-inactivated T. marneffei in the presence of serum from anti-IFN-γ autoantibody-positive patients or healthy controls. The percentages of IFN-γ+TNF+CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells were determined by flow cytometry and cytokines released in the supernatant were detected by Cytometric Bead Array. Furthermore, PBMCs from patients with T. marneffei infection and healthy individuals were stimulated with IFN-γ and anti-CD3/CD28 beads, and the levels of STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation were detected by Western blot. Results: The M1-reactive CD8+ T cells that expressed IFN-γ+ TNF-α+ of healthy controls were clearly reduced in serum with high-titer anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies. In addition, the CD4+ T cell response, designated by the expression of IFN-γ, against T. marneffei in PBMCs of patients were significantly decreased when cultured in high-titer anti-IFN-γ autoantibody serum culture, compared to the healthy compartments. Moreover, the release of the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 was significantly decreased, while IL-10 was significantly increased. There was no significant difference in the phosphorylation levels of STAT1 and STAT3 protein between patients and healthy controls after IFN-γ or anti-CD3/CD28 beads stimulation. Conclusion: Anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies presence in the serum inhibited CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ T cell immune responses. There was no congenital dysfunction of STAT1 and STAT3 in anti-IFN-γ autoantibody-positive patients with T. marneffei infection. These results suggest that the production of anti-IFN-γ autoAbs impair T-lymphocyte responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Talaromyces marneffei (TM) is the only temperature-biphasic pathogen among Penicillium spp. that causes talaromycosis marneffei (TSM). Clinical manifestations include fever, cough, expectoration, superficial and deep lymph node enlargement, hepatosplenomegaly, subcutaneous nodules, and bone and joint infections. Cases of TSM in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients are uncommon. The clinical manifestations and imaging findings are similar in TSM and HL, which make it difficult for clinicians to distinguish between TSM and HL. Both diseases can present with symptoms, can involve the blood or the respiratory system and can include other symptoms. We report a rare case of HIV-negative nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma (NSHL) combined with T. marneffei infection to improve clinical knowledge. Case Presentation: The patient was a 51-year-old man who presented with a 1-month history of cough, expectoration, intermittent fever in the afternoon and night, cervical lymph node enlargement, diabetes and previous lung surgery. He had markedly elevated serum inflammatory markers and moderate diffuse lung dysfunction. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse nodular lesions in both lungs with mediastinal lymph node enlargement. The patient did not respond to antibacterial and diagnostic antituberculosis therapy. After lymph node biopsy and lung culture, we obtained a definite diagnosis of NSLH with T. marneffei infection and administered antifungal therapy. His symptoms improved, and he was discharged for further treatment. Unfortunately, he died of Salmonella sepsis 7 months later. Conclusion: It is rare for NSLH patients to be infected with T. marneffei. Both diseases can present with fever, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly and involve the blood and respiratory system or can cause other symptoms. Clinically, a misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis may occur. A multisite biopsy or culture should be performed to make a definitive diagnosis. Early antifungal therapy combined with standard chemotherapy can achieve satisfactory clinical efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Talaromyces marneffei is considered to commonly cause infection in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, the epidemiology of T. marneffei has changed, and an increasing number of HIV-negative but immunodeficient patients are infected with T. marneffei. The mechanisms of T. marneffei infection of HIV-negative hosts are complex and diverse. We report 2 cases of HIV-negative lung cancer with T. marneffei infection and positive anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies (AIGAs) to provide clinical experience. Case Presentation: We report lung adenocarcinoma combined with T. marneffei infection in HIV-negative patients, and their AIGAs were measured. Both patients were male with a family history of cancer and presented with recurrent fever and cough. The patients were negative for HIV antibodies but positive for AIGAs. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed pulmonary nodules, exudative lesions and solid changes. The patients were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and Talaromycosis marneffei (TSM) by pathological examination and tissue culture. Patient 1 received only antifungal treatment, refused antitumor treatment and died in February 2019, and Patient 2 unfortunately died in April 2019 after antifungal and antitumor treatments. Conclusion: An increasing number of HIV-negative but immunodeficient patients are infected with T. marneffei. The 2 patients in this report had lung cancer and positive AIGAs, causing immunodeficiencies, but the mechanism of T. marneffei infection in such patients is complex. Clinically, we should consider a comprehensive immunological examination to avoid the omission of other immunodeficiencies. We recommend routine testing for AIGA levels in HIV-negative marneffei patients. It is difficult to distinguish between lung cancer and disseminated TSM due to similar clinical characteristics and imaging, and multiple biopsies and cultures of diseased tissue are necessary. Early antifungal treatment and standard antitumor treatment can achieve satisfactory curative effects when a patient has both diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]