Histoplasmose residual dos pulmões e linfonodos broncopulmonares em necropsias realizadas em Uberaba, MG

Abstract

Lungs and broncho-pulmonary lymph nodes were studied from 127 sequential adult autopsies done in Uberaba, MG, Brazil through the years 1992 and 1993. Calcified lung nodules and/or calcified lymph nodes were found in 39 (30.7%) cases. For 27 (69.2%) out of those 39 autopsies, fungi morphologically compatible with Histoplasma capsulatum were found within those calcified structures. Fite-Faraco stain for acid-fast bacilli was negative for all cases. It is concluded that the majority of calcified pulmonary nodes and calcified regional lymph nodes found at autopsies in Uberaba are related to infection with H. capsulatum. These findings raise the possibility for this fungal disease to be endemic in Uberaba. Such information might be relevant to the diagnosis of this systemic mycosis.

Morphological changes in the digestive system of 93 human immunodeficiency virus positive patients: an autopsy study

“…Concerning to histoplasmosis, it is important to identify endemic areas of this disease, since fungus is usually dead on the former primary complex and systemic disease is usually secondary to exogenous infection 1 . In our study, we found Histoplasma capsulatum in all segments of the digestive system investigated and all involved patients had disseminated disease.…”

Morphological changes in the digestive system of 322 necropsies of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome: comparison of findings pre- and post-HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy)

“…South and Central America are considered endemic areas for histoplasmosis 13 , 31 . A Brazilian study that analyzed biopsies of the digestive system showed a decreased histoplasmosis frequency after the introduction of HAART 32 .…”

“…Despite significant advances in diagnostic procedures, false-positive and false-negative diagnosis in the absence of necropsy still exist 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 . Necropsies are essential procedures for the quality control in university hospitals, and have helped to further understanding of the most frequent diseases in patients with HIV/AIDS 13 . …”