Transformation of pulmonary histoplasmosis to sarcoidosis: a case report

Histoplasmosis, a dimorphic fungus, and sarcoidosis, a disease of unknown etiology, share many clinical features, including typical manifestations of granulomatous inflammation involving the lungs and mediastinal lymphatics in association with constitutional symptoms. As such, they are often difficult to distinguish based upon clinical presentation. Recent studies suggest that sarcoidosis may be triggered by infectious agents. Here we present a case of documented pulmonary histoplasmosis that evolved into sarcoidosis. This case supports the notion that infections promote sarcoidosis in predisposed hosts.