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Acute disseminated histoplasmosis complicated with hypercalcaemia
1Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan, Republic of China.
The Journal of Infection
|September 1, 1999
Insights
Acute disseminated histoplasmosis can cause hypercalcemia. Physicians should consider this fungal infection and immune deficiencies in patients with high calcium levels.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum.
- Disseminated histoplasmosis can affect multiple organs.
- Hypercalcemia is a potential complication of various conditions, including infections and immune disorders.
Observation:
- A case of acute progressive disseminated histoplasmosis complicated by hypercalcemia is presented.
- Literature review of similar cases was conducted.
Findings:
- Disseminated histoplasmosis can manifest with hypercalcemia.
- Impaired cellular-mediated immunity is often associated with this presentation.
Implications:
- Increased physician awareness of disseminated histoplasmosis as a cause of hypercalcemia is warranted.
- Consideration of underlying immune deficiencies is crucial in patients with unexplained hypercalcemia.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of histoplasmosis can prevent severe complications.
Abstract:
A case of acute progressive disseminated histoplasmosis complicated with hypercalcemia is reported and the literature is reviewed. This and the previously reported cases imply that physicians should have a higher index of suspicion for this infection and the probable underlying diseases resulting from impaired cellular-mediated immunity when encountering patients with hypercalcaemia.