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Published on: February 14, 2011

Granulomatous pleuritis caused by histoplasmosis in a healthy child

Matt Zahn1, Michael Hesson, Ronald Morton

  • 1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. matt.zahn@louisvilleky.gov

Pediatric Pulmonology
|June 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Histoplasmosis infection rarely causes pneumonia with pleuritis. A rare case in a boy confirmed histoplasmosis pleuritis via antigen detection in empyema fluid.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection typically affecting the lungs.
  • Pneumonia with pleuritis is an uncommon manifestation of histoplasmosis.

Observation:

  • A previously healthy 12-year-old boy presented with symptoms suggestive of pneumonia and pleuritis.
  • Diagnostic evaluation was initiated to determine the underlying cause of his respiratory illness.

Findings:

  • Histoplasmosis was confirmed as the causative agent of the pleuritis.
  • Detection of the Histoplasma antigen in the empyema fluid provided definitive microbiological evidence.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering histoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of pleuritis, even in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Antigen detection in pleural fluid can be a valuable tool for diagnosing rare presentations of histoplasmosis.

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