Histoplasmosis: Difference between revisions
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:21, 26 September 2012
| Histoplasmosis | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Histoplasma capsulatum. Methenamine silver stain showing histopathologic changes in histoplasmosis. | |
| ICD-10 | B39 |
| ICD-9 | 115 |
| DiseasesDB | 5925 |
| MedlinePlus | 001082 |
| MeSH | D006660 |
|
Histoplasmosis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Histoplasmosis On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Histoplasmosis |
For patient information click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Ajellomyces capsulatus; Darling disease; Darling's disease
Overview
Pathogen
Symptoms
If symptoms of histoplasmosis infection occur, they will start within 3 to 17 days after exposure; the average is 12-14 days. Most affected individuals have clinically-silent manifestations and show no apparent ill effects.[1]The acute phase of histoplasmosis is characterized by non-specific respiratory symptoms, often cough or flu-like. Chest X-ray findings are normal in 40-70% of cases.[1] Chronic histoplasmosis cases can resemble tuberculosis; disseminated histoplasmosis affects multiple organ systems and is fatal unless treated.
While histoplasmosis is the most common cause of fibrosing mediastinitis, this remains a relatively rare disease. Severe infections can cause hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and adrenal enlargement. Lesions have a tendency to calcify as they heal.
Ocular histoplasmosis damages the retina of the eyes. Scar tissue is left on the retina which can experience leakage, resulting in a loss of vision not unlike macular degeneration.
Treatment
Antifungal medications are used to treat severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease. Typical treatment of severe disease first involves treatment with amphotericin B, followed by oral itraconazole.[2] In many milder cases, simply itraconazole is sufficient. Asymptomatic disease is typically not treated. Past infection results in partial protection against ill effects if reinfected.
Prevention
References
Note: The original version of this article is adapted from the U.S. CDC public domain document at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/histoplasmosis_g.htm
External links
- Histoplasmosis Resource Guide from the National Eye Institute (NEI).
- NIOSH - Histoplasmosis - Protecting Workers at Risk
- Fibrosing Mediastinitis