 Histoplasmosis - chronic pulmonary
Definition | Alternative Names | Causes, incidence, and risk factors | Symptoms | Signs and tests | Treatment | Support Groups | Expectations (prognosis) | Complications | Calling your health care provider | Prevention | References DefinitionChronic pulmonary histoplasmosis is a long-term respiratory infection caused by breathing the spores of the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum. See also: Alternative Names Chronic cavitary histoplasmosis Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHistoplasma capsulatum is a fungus found in the soil of the central and eastern United States (especially Mississippi and Ohio river valleys), eastern Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The infection occurs when a person breathes in the reproducing parts of the fungus, called spores. Those who have a healthy immune system usually do not have symptoms, or only mild ones. This "acute" infection does not last, but can leave a person with small scars (granulomas). These scars are sometimes difficult to distinguish from growths in the lung. However, the infection can cause severe illness right away, or redevelop years after the first exposure, if a person's immune system is weakened by: Risk factors for chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis include: - Living in or traveling to central or eastern United States
- Exposure to soil or particles contaminated with droppings of chickens, bats, or blackbirds
- Pre-existing COPD
- Weakened immune system, such as in people who have AIDS
Symptoms- Chills
- Cough that brings up mucus or pus
- Fever
- Joint stiffness
- Shortness of breath
- Skin involvement (erythema nodosum)
- Unintentional weight loss
Signs and testsTests that may be used to diagnose chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis include: TreatmentThe doctor will prescribe antifungal medications to control the infection within the lung. Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)The infection usually goes away with antifungal medication, but scarring inside the lung often remains. Histoplasmosis is unusual enough that if you develop it, your health care provider should check to find out whether another disease is weakening your immune system. Often, those who have had chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis must follow up with their doctor, who will check for signs of relapse. In rare cases, a pulmonary histoplasmosis infection can spread through the blood to other organs. This is called disseminated histoplasmosis. People who have a suppressed immune system and very young children are more likely to develop this condition. If this occurs, the prognosis is less favorable. Complications- Arthritis
- Disseminated histoplasmosis
- Lung scarring (fibrosis)
- Pericarditis
- Respiratory insufficiency
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis. Call your health care provider if your symptoms continue despite treatment, or if you have breathing difficulty or symptoms of disseminated histoplasmosis. PreventionBe aware of your surroundings, especially if you are in a weakened state from another medical condition, or from immune-suppressing medications. ReferencesGoldman L, Ausiello D. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007.
Review Date: 11/12/2007
Reviewed By: Andrew Schriber, M.D., F.C.C.P., Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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