ISSN: 2689-7822
Authors: Pal M*
Histoplasmosis, a highly infectious fungal disease of public health concern, is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus that occurs in mycelial and yeast form. The respiratory tract is recognized as the primary site of H. capsulatum var.capsulatum and the infection is acquired by inhalation of fungal spores from the saprobic environment. Disease can occur in sporadic as well as in epidemic form causing morbidity and mortality in susceptible individuals. Sporadic cases of histoplasmosis are reported from over 60 countries of the world including India. In USA, 25,000 cases of histoplasmosis are diagnosed every year. Certain groups of people who are associated with the soil related activities are at greater risk for developing the severe forms of disease. The fungus has the potential to infect every organ of the body including the skin, lung, brain, eye, adrenal gland, heart, liver, spleen, nose, gastrointestinal tract etc. The infection remains asymptomatic in over 90% of cases. The clinical presentation is varied and the affected person shows fever, headache, dry cough, dyspnea, chest pain, profuse sweating, lymphadenopathy, lesions in the mouth and skin etc. histoplasmosis in immune compromised patients, especially suffering from AIDS has poor prognosis. Mycological, immunological, and molecular techniques are employed to confirm an unequivocal diagnosis of disease. However, the isolation of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum from the clinical specimens still considered the gold standard of diagnosis. Antifungal drugs like liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole are recommended for the management of disease. The disseminated histoplasmosis can be fatal if left untreated. It is imperative that immune compromised persons must avoid visiting the heavily contaminated sites that are inhabited by bats excreta and avian droppings.
Keywords: AIDS; Bat droppings; Histoplasma capsulatum var.capsulatum; Public Health; Respiratory Tract
