Histoplasmosis - acute (primary) pulmonary

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Acute histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis - acute (primary) pulmonary

Definition:

Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis is a respiratory infection caused by inhaling the spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which is commonly found in bird and bat droppings along river valleys.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus found in the Central and Eastern United States, Eastern Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

text continues below

Most patients have no symptoms (asymptomatic) or experience a mild flu-like illness and recover uneventfully. Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis may occur in an epidemic, which is a widespread local outbreak of disease. Progressive and chronic disease can also occur, particularly amongst those with impaired immune systems, such as people with HIV.

Risk factors include travel to or residence in the Central or Eastern United States near the great river valleys, exposure to the droppings of birds and bats, and having a compromised immune system.