Histoplasmosis
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 |
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Treatment |
Case Studies |
Histoplasmosis On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Histoplasmosis |
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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
Prevention
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Silberberg P. "Radiology Teaching Files: Case 224856 (Histoplasmosis)".
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