Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
06:38

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis

Published on: September 12, 2019

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in a hepatitis C-infected individual

Paul M Rodriguez-Waitkus1, Vafa Bayat, Elias George

  • 1Department of Pathology, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, TX, USA. pmrodrig@bcm.edu

Mycopathologia
|June 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis, a rare fungal infection, can affect Hepatitis C patients. This case highlights the need to consider Histoplasma capsulatum in diagnosing gastrointestinal issues in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is an uncommon opportunistic infection, primarily seen in individuals with compromised immune systems, notably those with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is known to impact the adaptive immune system, potentially increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.

Observation:

  • This report details a case of disseminated histoplasmosis with significant gastrointestinal tract involvement in a patient diagnosed with Hepatitis C virus infection.
  • The presence of Histoplasma capsulatum was definitively identified using a DNA probe assay on a bone marrow biopsy sample.

Findings:

  • The study confirms a rare instance of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in a Hepatitis C-infected individual.
  • Diagnostic confirmation was achieved through molecular identification of Histoplasma capsulatum in bone marrow.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis for patients with Hepatitis C virus infection presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Understanding the immune dysregulation caused by HCV may shed light on the increased risk of opportunistic fungal infections like histoplasmosis.

More Related Videos

Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens09:57

Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens

Published on: February 14, 2011

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms11:36

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms

Published on: May 29, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
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...
Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology01:17

Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology

Gastritis is marked by disruption of the mucosal barrier that usually protects the stomach tissue from digestive juices and manifests in acute and chronic forms.
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...