What is it?
Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings (including chickens).
- Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed, Its symptoms vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs.
- The disease is not transmitted from an infected person to someone else.
It is most common in world areas of:
- Western United States
- Mexico
- South America
- Israel
- Saudi Arabia
- Africa
Diagnosis Tests
Blastomycosis antigen tests have extensive cross-reactivity with Histoplasmosis tests.
- EIA Histoplasma urine antigen test (however, in the first two weeks of infection, false-negative tests may occur with antigen testing).
If result in negative then consider:
- Sputum or BAL culture and microscopy
- Performing a skin biopsy (if lesion[s] exists) for microscopy
- Ordering serologic antibody tests; however, antibody tests are reported to have low sensitivity, though may be useful when an antigen test is negative or when trying to differentiate blastomycosis from histoplasmosis
- Evaluating disease manifestations in bone, genitourinary tract, and central nervous system
- Obtaining infectious disease or pulmonology consultation
Medscape
- Microscopy:
- Sputum
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
- Lung tissue biopsy
- Via KOH mount, GMS (Gomori methenamine silver) stain, PAS stain, Wright/Giemsa stain – show small intracellular yeast within macrophages.
- Fungal culture
- Sputum
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
- Lung tissue biopsy
- Performed on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA)
- Urine tests
- Antigen Detection Tests
- PCR / Molecular Tests
- Histopathology
- Chest CT/X-ray
Cause
- Fungus: Histoplasma capsulatum
- Breathing the spores causes infection
Syndromes
Symptoms
- High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72hours?
- Initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
- Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
- Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
- General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:
This condition can lead to:
- Addison disease
- Mycotic Endophthalmitis
- Blurred vision/decreased vision
- Oedema (watery swelling) of the eyelid
- Eye pain
- Appearance of the eye may be hazy
- Infection to the eye (sticky or watery discharge)
- Erythema Multiforme
This condition may show similar symptoms to:
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Histoplasmosis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
- Medical News Today
Medical news and health news headlines posted throughout the day, every day.
- Medscape (Professional level)
Latest medical news and expert commentary in your specialty as well as disease information.
- Healthline
Medical Information and health advice you can trust
- EveryDay Health
Wellness inspired. Wellness enabled.
- Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)
The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.
- NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
- WebMD
Better Information. Better Health.
- Cleveland Clinic
Pushing the Standards of care.
- Mayo Clinic
No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)
- Drugs.com
Know more. Be sure.
- National Organisation of Rare Diseases
NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.
- Verywell Health
Know more. Fell better.
- Nathnac
Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.
- DR Axe
Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies
- Better health - NHS
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