Late occurrence of Histoplasma duboisii cutaneous and pulmonary infection 18 years after exposure

Abstract

We report an imported case of Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (H. duboisii) infection in a white French woman revealed by cutaneous lesions of the scalp, 18 years after her last stay in West and Central Africa. Asymptomatic bilateral pulmonary infiltrates were discovered on thoracic computed tomography. Skin biopsy allowed the positive diagnosis showing the typical yeasts; culture of biopsy specimens was positive for H. capsulatum. In the absence of criteria of severity, the patient was treated for one year with oral itraconazole 400mg/day. The outcome was favourable, skin and pulmonary lesions resolved slowly. The follow up is 5 years without relapse after the end of treatment. This case illustrates the possibility of late occurrence of H. duboisii infection, many years after exposure and the major importance of asking any patient for travelling or residency in tropical countries.

Keywords: African histoplasmosis; Champignon dimorphique; Cutaneous histoplasmosis; Dimorphic fungus; Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii; Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii; Histoplasmose africaine; Histoplasmose cutanée; Histoplasmose pulmonaire; Pulmonary histoplasmosis.