RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Rapid diagnosis of Penicillium marneffei infection by fine needle aspiration cytology JF Journal of Clinical Pathology JO J Clin Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 443 OP 444 DO 10.1136/jcp.2004.024976 VO 59 IS 4 A1 D Lim A1 Y-S Lee A1 A R Chang YR 2006 UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/59/4/443.abstract AB This report describes the use of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology to make a rapid diagnosis of Penicillium marneffei infection in an HIV positive patient. P marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungus that is a mould at 25°C and a yeast at 37°C. It multiplies by fission. It can be easily mistaken for various other infections that are characterised by the presence of histiocytes with phagocytosed yeast cells. In smears the demonstration of yeast cells with a distinctive central septum confirms the diagnosis.