Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Histoplasmosis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Histoplasmosis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Screening

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Chest X Ray

CT

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Case Studies

Case #1

Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies

CDC on Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies

Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies in the news

Blogs on Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies

Directions to Hospitals Treating Histoplasmosis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Histoplasmosis other diagnostic studies

Other Diagnostic Studies

Microscopy

  • The gold standard for diagnosis of histoplama infection is direct visualization of the oviod yeast cells in the tissue samples and body fluid specimen.
  • Histoplasma capsulatum is characterized by a budding yeast connected with a narrow base. This helps in differentiation from other Blastomyces dermatitidis.
  • Histoplasma capsulatum is mostly identified within the macrophages and monocytes.
  • In immunocompetent people, immune response by the macrophages results in the formation of a granuloma and the yeast forms are demonstrated within the histiocytes in the granuloma. However in patients with disseminated infection the yeast forms can be demonstrated in the histiocytes scattered throughout the organ and are not confined to the granulomas alone.
  • Different stains such as the gram stain, Giemsa stain, Hematoxylin-eosin stain, Mucicarmine stain, PAS stain and Wright-Giemsa stain are useful for demonstration of the granulomas and the yeast forms in the tissue specimen or body fluid samples.

Culture

  • Culture is positive 50% to 85% patients with disseminated histoplasmosis and chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis.
  • Culture takes 4 weeks to grow and the mold appears as a suede-like or cottony mycelium. Microscopic examination of the mold demonstrate characteristic large, rounded tuberculate macroconidia.

Antigen Testing

  • Antigen testing is an useful method for rapid diagnosis of histoplasma infection. Galactomannan antigen can be detected in the blood or urine samples and is positive in majority of patients with acute pulmonary histoplasmosis and disseminated histoplasmosis.

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Public Health Image Library (PHIL)".