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[Disseminated histoplasmosis in patients with AIDS. 2 case reports]
S Antinori1, A L Ridolfo, M Corbellino
1Istituto di Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Ospedale L. Sacco, Università, Milano. spantin@tiw.it
Recenti Progressi in Medicina
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Disseminated histoplasmosis can occur in immunocompromised individuals, even outside endemic areas. Early clinical suspicion is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment in these vulnerable patients.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Histoplasmosis is typically an acute, self-limiting respiratory infection endemic in parts of the US and South America.
- In elderly and immunosuppressed individuals, histoplasmosis can disseminate systemically.
- Disseminated histoplasmosis presents diagnostic challenges, especially in non-endemic regions.
Observation:
- Two cases of disseminated histoplasmosis in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are presented.
- The first case involved an Italian woman with no travel history to endemic areas, diagnosed post-mortem.
- The second case was a trans-sexual patient from Brazil presenting in Italy.
Findings:
- Disseminated histoplasmosis occurred in AIDS patients, highlighting the risk in immunocompromised populations.
- The infection was severe and systemic, leading to fatal outcomes in one case.
- Aspecific symptoms in immunocompromised patients often lead to misdiagnosis of histoplasmosis.
Implications:
- Clinical suspicion of histoplasmosis is vital in immunocompromised patients, particularly those in non-endemic areas.
- Prompt diagnosis can prevent severe systemic illness and improve patient outcomes.
- Awareness of histoplasmosis in non-endemic settings is critical for healthcare providers managing immunocompromised patients.