Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE
Published on: March 1, 2024
Pulmonary Histoplasmosis in a Referral Hospital in Mexico City
Alejandro Hernández Solís1, Javier Araiza Santibáñez2, Jazmín Guadalupe Tejeda Olán2
1Servicio de Neumología y Cirugía de Tórax, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Ciudad de México, Mexico.
Abstract:
Pulmonary histoplasmosis is caused by inhaling Histoplasma capsulatum. Less than 1% develops the disease. Risk factors in immunocompetent individuals are environmental exposures in endemic areas. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency, clinical, and microbiological characteristics in immunocompetent patients. A retrospective case series study of patients diagnosed with pulmonary histoplasmosis was performed in a respiratory care unit in Mexico City from 2000 to 2020. Each patient had bronchial lavage, and three patients underwent thoracoscopy for the lung tissue sample taken for the culture in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Twelve patients were identified, 8 males and 4 females; the predominant symptoms were fever (83%), dyspnea (75%), chest pain (66%), hemoptysis (41%), and weight loss (33%). The computed tomography of the chest showed the following findings: patchy consolidation 12 (100%), hilar adenopathy 6 (50%), pleural effusion 6 (50%), caverns 3 (25%), and solitary pulmonary nodule in one patient (8%). Histoplasma capsulatum was found in the culture of all twelve patients. The signs and symptoms of the disease are mediated by the immune status of the host. The clinical picture is often confused with systemic diseases. It is important to have a high degree of clinical suspicion to make a timely diagnosis.
Insights
Pulmonary histoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients presents with diverse symptoms like fever and dyspnea. Early diagnosis requires high clinical suspicion, as Histoplasma capsulatum was confirmed in all cases studied.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Mycology
Background:
- Pulmonary histoplasmosis is an infection caused by inhaling Histoplasma capsulatum spores.
- While rare, disease development in immunocompetent individuals is linked to environmental exposures in endemic regions.
- Clinical presentation can mimic other systemic diseases, complicating diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and characteristics of pulmonary histoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients.
- To describe the clinical and microbiological features of the disease in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series conducted in Mexico City from 2000 to 2020.
- Involved analysis of patients diagnosed with pulmonary histoplasmosis.
- Diagnostic methods included bronchial lavage and lung tissue culture (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar); thoracoscopy was used in three cases.
Main Results:
- Twelve immunocompetent patients (8 males, 4 females) were identified.
- Predominant symptoms: fever (83%), dyspnea (75%), chest pain (66%), hemoptysis (41%), weight loss (33%).
- CT findings: patchy consolidation (100%), hilar adenopathy (50%), pleural effusion (50%), caverns (25%). Histoplasma capsulatum was confirmed in all patients.
Conclusions:
- The clinical presentation of pulmonary histoplasmosis is influenced by host immune status.
- High clinical suspicion is crucial for timely diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms with other diseases.
- This study highlights key clinical and microbiological findings in immunocompetent individuals.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:29Pulmonary 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...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders