Fatal necrotizing esophagitis due to Penicillium chrysogenum in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract

Although blue-green molds of the genus Penicillium are ubiquitous in the human environment, invasive penicilliosis is uncommon and primarily encountered among immunosuppressed patients. A patient with HIV infection who died of severe necrotizing esophagitis caused by Penicillium chrysogenum is reported and the relevant English language literature on human penicilliosis is reviewed. Although infectious esophagitis is commonly associated with AIDS, Penicillium esophagitis has not been described in such patients.