Disseminated Histoplasmosis Found in Bone Marrow in a Newly Diagnosed AIDS Patient: A Literature Review and Report of a Rare Case

Abstract

Histoplasmosis is a rare fungal infection caused by the dimorphic species Histoplasma (H.) capsulatum, found in the Midwest and Central United States. Infection with H. capsulatum is observed in other regions beyond the Ohio and Mississippi River valley, including Mexico and Central and South America. There have been increasing reports of the disease occurring in Latin America in immunocompromised patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This case report details clinical findings of disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompromised patient, newly diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and initially presenting with sepsis of unclear source. The focus of this case report is the significance of detailed history-taking guiding for an appropriate investigation and recognition of the infectious source and giving insight into the management of disseminated histoplasmosis in the outpatient and inpatient settings.

Keywords: aids; bone marrow; disseminated disease; histoplasmosis; hiv.