Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
Passive Administration of Monoclonal Antibodies Against H. capsulatum and Others Fungal Pathogens
Published on: February 14, 2011
[Imported histoplasmosis]
Katarina Stete1, Winfried V Kern1, Siegbert Rieg1
1Abteilung Infektiologie, Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg.
Abstract:
Infections with Histoplasma capsulatum are rare in Germany, and mostly imported from endemic areas. Infections can present as localized or disseminated diseases in immunocompromised as well as immunocompetent hosts. A travel history may be a major clue for diagnosing histoplasmosis. Diagnostic tools include histology, cultural and molecular detection as well as serology. Here we present four cases of patients diagnosed and treated in Freiburg between 2004 and 2013 that demonstrate the broad range of clinical manifestations of histoplasmosis: an immunocompetent patient with chronic basal meningitis; a patient with HIV infection and fatal disseminated disease; a patient with pulmonary and cutaneous disease and mediastinal and cervical lymphadenopathy; and an immunosuppressed patient with disseminated involvement of lung, bone marrow and adrenal glands.
Insights
Histoplasma capsulatum infections are uncommon in Germany, often imported. This study details four diverse cases, highlighting varied clinical presentations in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Histoplasma capsulatum infections are infrequent in Germany, typically occurring in travelers returning from endemic regions.
- The fungus can cause localized or disseminated disease, affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.
Observation:
- Four distinct cases of histoplasmosis diagnosed and treated in Freiburg between 2004 and 2013 were analyzed.
- Case presentations included chronic basal meningitis in an immunocompetent host, fatal disseminated disease in an HIV-infected patient, pulmonary and cutaneous disease with lymphadenopathy, and disseminated involvement in an immunosuppressed patient.
Findings:
- Histoplasmosis presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations.
- Travel history is crucial for diagnosing imported cases of histoplasmosis.
- Diagnostic methods encompass histology, culture, molecular detection, and serology.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of histoplasmosis is necessary, even in non-endemic areas like Germany.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are vital for managing diverse clinical presentations of histoplasmosis.
- Understanding the broad range of symptoms aids clinicians in suspecting and diagnosing this rare infection.
More Related Videos
09:02An Experimental Model to Study Tuberculosis-Malaria Coinfection upon Natural Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium berghei
Published on: February 17, 2014
08:20Author Spotlight: AI-Driven Trypanosome Species Detection from Microscopic Images
Published on: October 27, 2023