acute pulmonary histoplasmosis
Acute Pulmonary Histoplasmosis
An acute upper respiratory tract infection caused by exposure to Histoplasma capsulatum spores, which are found in most parts of the world except the western US and Canada, Europe and western Asia.Clinical findings In immune competent hosts, APH may present with mild flu-like symptoms. Immunoincompetent hosts may develop chest pain of varying intensity, chills, cough, dyspnoea, fever, muscle aches, musculoskeletal stiffness, lymphadenopathy, night sweats, rash, erythema nodosum, weight loss.
Risk factors Exposure to bird or bat droppings, caving, immune compromise—especially AIDS.
Management Usually self-limited; if therapy is required, amphotericin B, itraconazole.