Imported African histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient 40 years after staying in a disease-endemic area

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014 Nov;91(5):1011-4. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0731. Epub 2014 Sep 22.

Abstract

Histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii is a rare disease outside central and western Africa. In Europe, all cases are imported. We report a case of an African histoplasmosis with isolated pulmonary involvement in a non-immunocompromised patient that occurred 40 years after his stay in a disease-endemic area. The patient was given itraconazole. (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography was used to assess evolution during treatment. The outcome for the patient was favorable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Endemic Diseases*
  • Histoplasma
  • Histoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Histoplasmosis / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Portugal
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Travel
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Itraconazole
  • Amphotericin B