Rash decisions can be life-saving: a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompromised patient

Histoplasmosis is the most prevalent endemic mycosis in the United States with the highest incidence in the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. Most infections are asymptomatic or self-limited. However, in immunocompromised patients, severe and progressive disseminated infection can occur. In our pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Huda Naz Khan, Stephen L. Hines, Leigh Hunter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Greater Baltimore Medical Center 2019-07-01
Series:Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20009666.2019.1653141
Description
Summary:Histoplasmosis is the most prevalent endemic mycosis in the United States with the highest incidence in the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. Most infections are asymptomatic or self-limited. However, in immunocompromised patients, severe and progressive disseminated infection can occur. In our patient, evaluation of her cutaneous lesions was critical in making the diagnosis of acute-disseminated histoplasmosis. Because clinical manifestations of disseminated histoplasmosis can vary widely, early recognition of this infection is challenging. This case highlights the importance of considering histoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients since the untreated disease can be fatal.
ISSN:2000-9666