Fungal infection detected from a peripheral blood smear review

Histoplasmosis is a lung and blood disease caused by a dimorphic fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum, which causes non-specific clinical manifestations making differential diagnosis aimed at its detection difficult.

We explore the case of a 28-year-old man whose blood test revealed pancytopenia, which led to review of the blood film, which showed yeast-like cytoplasmic inclusions in some of the neutrophils, suggestive of H. capsulatum infection. Given the suspicion, the laboratory expanded tests for the detection of fungal biomarkers such as galactomannan antigen and B-D-glucan, in addition to HIV serology, which were positive.

This case highlights the importance of the morphological review of the blood film in the laboratory, as it provides very valuable and relevant information for the diagnosis of many diseases. As well as the importance of communication between the different departments in the laboratory.