Histoplasmosis

Histoplasma capsulatum

*dimorphic fungus
(yeast like growth in warm environments)
produces micro and macro condidia

Enviornment (soil contains bird or bat droppings)

respiratory tract

Inhaled spores (microconidia)

1-3 weeks

*inhaled microconidia colonize lung as yeast
*macrophages phagocytize yeast but can't kill them
*other immune cells are recruited and form granulomas with infected cells with fungi in center
*systemic infection results in immune compromised host

*respiratory infection
*can be asymptomatic
-fever
-cough
-fatigue
-chills
-headache
-chest pain
-body aches

*2 weeks
*3-5 weeks

*Chronic Pulmonary Infection
*fibrosis
*cavitary lesions
*spreading to other tissues

4-8%

avoid exposure
wear mask if exposure is likely
spray 3% formalin on bat poop
prophylaxis with itraconazole (immuno-compromised pts)

*symptoms may resolve without treatment
*antifungal medication (itraconazole and amphotericin-B)