Coughing and fever after surfing in Central America

Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2012 Nov:124 Suppl 3:35-8. doi: 10.1007/s00508-012-0253-7. Epub 2012 Oct 26.

Abstract

We report the case of a 19-year-old surfer, returning from Central America, who presented with chronic cough. The X-ray and full blood count, which had been performed in Costa Rica, were without pathology; laboratory parameters showed slightly increased C-reactive protein (59 mg/l). Malaria was excluded by thick smear. Immune serological tests for typhus, paratyphus, brucellosis, rickettsioses, leptospirosis and dengue fever were negative. An ambulant antimicrobial treatment was without any clinical effect. A computer tomography of the thorax showed a solid lesion (30 × 20 mm, middle lobe of the right lung). The patient rejected a bronchoscopic examination. He decided to be treated after his return to Austria. Here, we could substantiate a pulmonal histoplasmosis by a positive immune diffusion test. The patient was successfully treated with itraconazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Central America
  • Cough / etiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / diagnosis*
  • Fever of Unknown Origin / etiology
  • Histoplasmosis / complications
  • Histoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Histoplasmosis / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Swimming
  • Therapeutics

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole