Neurological and multiple organ involvement due to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and HIV co-infection diagnosed at autopsy

J Neurovirol. 2017 Dec;23(6):913-918. doi: 10.1007/s13365-017-0577-1. Epub 2017 Sep 11.

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, is the most prevalent systemic mycosis among immunocompetent patients in Latin America; it is rare in immunocompromised patients. The estimated frequency of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in the HIV/PCM population was 2.5%. We report a case of HIV/P. brasiliensis co-infection, with neurological (NPCM) and multiple organ involvement, indicating a diagnosis of AIDS. PCM diagnosis was established during the autopsy. This is the first described case of HIV/P. brasiliensis co-infection with CNS involvement diagnosed at autopsy. In conclusion, the diagnosis of NPCM is challenging, and it must be considered in the differential diagnosis in HIV-positive patients who reside in or have visited areas in which the condition is endemic and who present with neurological symptoms.

Keywords: Central nervous system; Co-infection; HIV; Neuro-paracoccidioidomycosis; Paracoccidioides brasiliensis; Paracoccidioidomycosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / immunology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / microbiology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / virology
  • Adult
  • Autopsy
  • Brazil
  • Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Central Nervous System / microbiology
  • Central Nervous System / pathology*
  • Central Nervous System / virology
  • Coinfection
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Male
  • Paracoccidioides / immunology
  • Paracoccidioides / isolation & purification
  • Paracoccidioides / pathogenicity
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / diagnosis*
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / immunology
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / microbiology
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis / pathology