Disseminated Histoplasmosis without Pulmonary Involvement in an Immunocompetent Host - A Case Report

Variable clinical presentations of histoplasmosis: a report of six cases

“…4,5 An estimated 40 million people in the USA have been infected with Histoplasma capsulatum , with 500,000 new cases occurring each year. 2 Histoplasmosis is rarely reported from India, perhaps because of its varied clinical presentations and a lack of clinical suspicion for this infection. The first case of cutaneous histoplasmosis from India was reported by Panja and Sen in 1959.…”

“…At body temperature, the organism converts into the yeast phase that is composed of tiny 2–4 µm oval budding yeasts that are found both inside and outside macrophages. 2,3 Two varieties of H. capsulatum that are pathogenic to humans are the H. capsulatum variant capsulatum found in America and the tropics and the H. capsulatum variant duboisii found in Africa. 5…”

“…The clinical presentation varies depending on the size of the inoculum, host immune status and the presence of underlying lung disease. 2 Defence against H. capsulatum is largely made by a cell-mediated response by which the infection can be prolonged in individuals with defective T cell immunity including those with AIDS. It is generally a late manifestation of HIV infection and becomes progressive and a potentially fatal infection.…”

Non-resolving pneumonia: A rare presentation of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis

“…[9] Like TB primary histoplasmosis heals spontaneously in about 99% of cases and only a few progress to PDH. PDH usually presents with high fever and weight loss.…”

“…Histoplasmosis is caused by inhalation of the fungus Histoplama spp , and the degree of infection and clinical presentation are determined by the size of inoculum, immune status of the individual and presence of underlying lung disease. [ 9 ] Like TB primary histoplasmosis heals spontaneously in about 99% of cases and only a few progress to PDH. PDH usually presents with high fever and weight loss.…”