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Cytodiagnosis of histoplasmosis: case reports from two patients with variable clinical presentation

Sunita Singh1, Sonia Chhabra, Ruchi Goyal

  • 1Department of Pathology, Pt. B.D Sharma Post Graduate University of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.

Diagnostic Cytopathology
|September 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection, can be diagnosed early using fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). This simple technique aids in prompt treatment, especially for immunocompromised patients with disseminated histoplasmosis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Diagnostic Cytopathology

Background:

  • Histoplasmosis is a significant opportunistic fungal infection, particularly affecting immunocompromised individuals.
  • Histoplasma, a dimorphic fungus, commonly affects the lungs, with soil serving as its environmental reservoir.
  • While reported in India, cytological diagnosis of histoplasmosis remains infrequent.

Observation:

  • Two cases of histoplasmosis are presented, diagnosed via fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).
  • The first case involved pulmonary histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent male diagnosed through transbronchial needle aspiration.
  • The second case was disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompromised female, diagnosed via cervical lymph node cytology.

Findings:

  • Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) effectively diagnosed both pulmonary and disseminated histoplasmosis.
  • FNAC provided a rapid and accurate initial diagnosis for histoplasmosis.
  • The study highlights the utility of FNAC in identifying Histoplasma infections.

Implications:

  • FNAC is a valuable, safe, and rapid diagnostic tool for histoplasmosis.
  • Early diagnosis through FNAC facilitates timely treatment initiation.
  • Implementing FNAC can lead to improved patient outcomes, especially in immunocompromised populations.

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