Histoplasmosis

Question 1

What agent causes Histoplasmosis?

Answer 1

A fungus (that grows as a yeast), specifically Histoplasma capsulatum

Question 2

What causes an endemic of Histoplasmosis in OH, MO and MS River Valley?

Answer 2

The acidity of the soil

Question 3

Who/what is a reservoir?

Answer 3

Bats and contaminated soil

Question 4

Healthy people are typically asymptomatic, whereas ______ are symptomatic?

Answer 4

Immunosuppressed

Question 5

What is the typical clinical presentation in an immunocompromised individual?

Answer 5

Initial - pulmonary; may get systemic spread to CNS, liver, spleen

Question 6

How does Histoplasmosis present on a chest x-ray?

Answer 6

White calcified nodes and nodules

Question 7

If Histoplasmosis progresses to the chronic phase, what symptoms might you see?

Answer 7

Chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, fever, and sweating (Rare cases - inflammation in pericardium, meninges)

Question 8

How do you diagnose Histoplasmosis?

Answer 8

Chest X-Ray/CT
Bronchoscopy
Biopsy
Blood/Urine for antigens/antibodies
Spinal tap

Question 9

Does Histoplasmosis usually require treatment?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

If symptoms last longer than 1 month, what type of treatment could you recommend?

Answer 10

Anti-fungal therapy