Histoplasma capsulatum

Question 1

what organs display calcified tubercle-like lesions on X-ray in H. capsulatum infx?

Answer 1

liver
spleen
adrenals
lungs

Question 2

In adult Progressive Disseminated Disease (Darling’s Disease) d/t H. capsulatum infx, what organs display lesions?

Answer 2

liver
spleen
adrenals

Question 3

Destruction of the adrenals causes Addison’s disease. If untreated, death occurs in how many months?

Answer 3

10 months

Question 4

In Progressive Disseminating Disease of the infant d/t H. capsulatum, what are the two main symptoms?

Answer 4

unrelenting fever

hepatosplenomegaly

Question 5

if untreated, how quickly does death occur in PDD of the infant d/t H. capsulatum?

Answer 5

6 weeks

Question 6

In H. capsulatum infx, microscopic examination of pulmonary or bone marrow biopsy will show what shaped yeast forms in macrophages?

Answer 6

rounded to oval yeast forms

Question 7

what tests are used to identify H. capsulatum?

Answer 7

histoplasmin DTH
Immunodiffusion (H/M antigen)
RIA
ELISA

Question 8

what is the treatment for H. capsulatum infx?

Answer 8

amphotericin B lipid formulations

oral itraconazole

Question 9

how is H. capsulatum prevented?

Answer 9

H. capsulatum cannot be prevented