[American pulmonary histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum]

Rev Pneumol Clin. 1998 Dec;54(6):311-20.
[Article in French]

Abstract

American pulmonary histoplasmosis is a deep mycosis imported from North America caused by the inhalation of Histoplasma capsulatum. It is endemic in several countries throughout the world and occasional cases have been reported in France, mainly imported from out lying French territories. The most frequent clinical forms observed in immunocompetent subjects are generally benign or silent and usually limited to a fortuitously discovered pulmonary nodule. Massive exposure may lead to an acute primary invasion producing a miliary aspect. Chronic forms simulating tuberculosis are exceptional. Inversely, opportunistic histoplasmosis in AIDS patients can produce an severe multiple organ disease. Ideally, mycelium should be isolated for diagnosis, a task which is easier in disseminated or operated nodular forms. More often, the epidemiological context, clinical and radiological features, the elimination of differential diagnoses and, retrospectively, serology are sufficient for diagnosis. The clinical course is usually favorable. Itraconazole is the treatment of choice for symptomatic or complicated forms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Africa / epidemiology
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asia / epidemiology
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Histoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Histoplasmosis* / diagnosis
  • Histoplasmosis* / drug therapy
  • Histoplasmosis* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Ketoconazole / therapeutic use
  • Latin America / epidemiology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal* / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal* / epidemiology
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole
  • Amphotericin B
  • Ketoconazole