Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment
Published on: June 23, 2019
[Histoplasmosis: uncommon opportunistic infection in a patient with HIV infection]
M Escher1, T M Kainikkara, A Grabner
1Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Innere Medizin I, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart, Germany. Markus.Escher@rbk.de
History And Admission Findings:
A 19-year-old HIV-positive man was admitted with fever of unknown origin and poor general condition. Antiretroviral therapy had been stopped by the patient eight months prior to admission.
Investigations:
Laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia, high viral load and low count of T-helper cells (13/µl). Computer tomography of the thorax showed small patchy infiltrations. Extensive examinations (microbiology, laboratory tests, multiple investigations) revealed no pathogen. Liver biopsy proved disseminated histoplasmosis.
Treatment And Course:
Liposomal amphotericin B was started and switched to oral itraconazole after 14 days with itraconazole. With this treatment the patient condition improved and fever stopped. T-helper cells increased and the patient was discharged.
Conclusion:
Disseminated histoplasmosis as an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection is uncommon (particularly as the patient had not been abroad in the last four years) and can be a life-threatening complication. Diagnosis must be confirmed by invasive methods especially in patients with compromised immune status and rapid clinical progression.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Diversity of Protists II
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
