Welcome to the Tropical Medicine Research Center for Talaromycosis

Our mission is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of AIDS-associated invasive mycoses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia – leading the way with Talaromycosis

About TMRC

Talaromycosis is a neglected fungal disease affecting society’s most vulnerable people

  • 90% of talaromycosis cases are associated with HIV/AIDS
  • Talaromycosis has a prevalence of 3.6% of among people living with HIV
  • Every year, there are an estimated 17,300 cases and 4,900 deaths – around a third of cases result in death
  • The death rate doubles from 24% to 50% with late diagnosis
  • The death rate approaches 100% when diagnosis is missed altogether
  • Talaromycosis disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged rural farming communities

The talaromycosis disease burden is highest
in Vietnam, Thailand, and Southern China

Talaromycosis (formerly penicilliosis) is endemic in tropical and subtropical Asia and is one of the leading causes of HIV-associated death in Vietnam, Thailand, Southern China, and Northeastern India. It is caused by the dimorphic fungus Talaromyces marneffei (Tm).

Talaromycosis has a reservoir in wild bamboo rats and associated soils in endemic regions.

Its high mortality is driven by late diagnosis due to dependence on blood culture. But, if it is detected early it is highly treatable.

Ode to the TMRC for Talaromycosis

In whispers of wind, a silent threat,
Talaromyces marneffei, a fungal silhouette
Once Penicillium, a name now recast,
A pathogen lurking, a shadow amassed.

In Southeast Asia’s embrace it resides,
Where bamboo whispers and the jungle confides.
A dimorphic dance, from mold unto yeast,
In lung’s tender tissues, a cunning beast.

It waits for the moment, the immune system frayed,
HIV’s cruel grip, a defense decayed.
Then spores take their flight, on currents unseen,
Inhaled and insidious, a fungal machine.

Fevers erupt, and cough wracks the chest,
Weight loss and weakness, a body distressed.
Skin breaks in lesions, a map of the fight,
A battle unseen, in the body’s dim light.

But science stands ready, with weapons in hand,
Antifungal warriors, TMRC Vietnam medical band.
Early detection, the key to success,
To quell the fungus, and bring back wellness.

So heed the warnings, in regions of risk,
For though unseen, dangers can exist.
Let knowledge be armor, awareness a shield,
Against Talaromyces, in the battlefield.

TMRC research partners