HISTOPLASMOSIS

A systemic fungal disease caused by inhalation of dust contaminated by histoplasma capsulatum.

ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS:

1. Most commonly seen in rural Midwest and southern US.
2. Not spread from human to human.
3. Fungus seen in pigeons and chicken manure.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATION:
1. Symptoms similar to TB and pneumonia.

• cough
• fever
• joint pain
• malaise

2. Sometimes asymptomatic

DIAGNOSIS:

1. Chest X-ray
2. Histoplasmin skin test (read the same as PPD).

MANAGEMENT:
1. Amphotericin B

• toxicity includes anorexia, chills, fever, headache, adrenal failure, nephrotoxicity.

2. Teach farmers to wet down chicken coops before shoveling manure so fungal spores will not become airborn.