A case of Penicillium marneffei osteomyelitis involving the axial skeleton

TS Pun, D Fang
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Fungal infection of bone by Penicillium marneffei is rare. We report on a case of Penicillium marneffei infection in a Filipino woman, which involved multiple soft-tissue abscesses and infection of the axial skeleton. Early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially reversible disease is emphasised. Such an approach is essential to prevent bony destruction from becoming too advanced and, more importantly, to prevent any damage to the spinal cord from occurring.

Hong Kong Med J 2000;6:231-3

Key words: Antifungal agents; Bone diseases/etiology; Bone diseases/radiology; Osteomyelitis; Penicillium