Progressive gastrointestinal histoplasmosis leading to colonic obstruction two years after initial presentation

Gastrointestinal Histoplasmosis: A Descriptive Review, 2001-2021

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis (GIH) is infrequently described in people without underlying HIV infection. We aimed to compare the clinical presentation of GIH in people with and without HIV infection. We conducted a literature search of published cases of GIH from 2001-2021 and found 212 cases. Of these, 142 (67.0%) were male, and 124 (58.5%) had HIV infection. Most cases were from North America (n = 88, 41.5%) and South America (n = 79, 37.3%). Of the 212 cases, 123 (58.0%) were included in both clinical and pathological analyses. The remainder were excluded as details about clinical and pathological findings were not available. Of the 123 cases, 41 had HIV infection while 82 were without HIV infection. The diagnosis was predominantly by histopathology (n = 109, 88.6%). A significant proportion of people with HIV infection had abdominal pain as the most predominant symptom of GIH compared to those without HIV infection (65.9% versus 41.9%, p < 0.05). The colon was the most affected site with a slightly higher proportion in those with HIV infection compared with cases without HIV infection (46.3% versus 42.7%). The commonest pathologic findings were caecal and ileal ulcers. Caecal ulcers were significantly more frequent in cases with HIV infection compared to those without HIV (32.1% versus 7.1%, p < 0.05). Despite being more common in people with HIV infection, GIH also affects people without HIV infection with similar clinical presentations.

Ileum Histoplasmosis Mimicking Intestinal Tuberculosis and Crohn's Disease

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis (GIH) without pulmonary and bone marrow involvement is very rare worldwide. It can be misdiagnosed as intestinal tuberculosis or Crohn's disease. There are just few case reports of GIH in patients with a positive HIV antibody test. Here, we report a patient who presented to our hospital with repeated intestinal obstruction. The suspicious diagnosis was intestinal tuberculosis or Crohn's disease due to unspecific clinical manifestations and radiologic images. Our patient's HIV antibody test was negative. She had no medical prescriptions. Therefore, our differential diagnosis needed to include ileum histoplasmosis besides intestinal lymphoma, intestinal tuberculosis, and Crohn's disease. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with ileum histoplasmosis due to surgical resection. It is important to be aware of potential infectious diseases, such as ileum histoplasmosis, when making a differential diagnosis. Moreover, surgical resection might be the final approach for small-intestine stricture with fibrosis.

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in a patient after autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma

A 59-year-old patient with multiple myeloma on maintenance chemotherapy presented with fever, weight loss, and night sweats. An F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography (CT) showed intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy with a mesenteric mass that led to further workup and diagnosis of histoplamosis. The patient was treated with amphotericin B and subsequently switched to itraconazole. This exemplifies the usefulness of FDG PET CT in diagnosis of infectious complications.

Acquired constricting and restricting lesions of the descending duodenum

The descending duodenum is a structure with distinct pathologic processes and anatomic relationships that requires a systematic approach to the differential diagnosis. Because of its tubular shape and fixed position in the retroperitoneum, both intrinsic duodenal and juxtaduodenal diseases are capable of producing luminal narrowing and obstruction. Duodenal lesions may be located in the mucosa or submucosa. Extraduodenal lesions may originate in adjacent structures--such as the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, colon, and lymph nodes--or from other retroperitoneal structures. Causes of duodenal obstruction include intraluminal masses, such as bezoars; duodenal inflammation, such as as peptic ulcers and Crohn disease; hematomas; and benign or malignant mucosal and intramural tumors. Pancreatic inflammation; tumors; and extrinsic compression caused by gallbladder processes, hepatic masses, retroperitoneal fluid collections, and tumors, including lymphoma, may produce duodenal obstruction. Abdominal radiography, barium studies, multidetector computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography may be used to depict and characterize duodenal strictures. Integration of imaging, clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic findings plays a major role in establishing a diagnosis of obstructive duodenal strictures.

Disseminated histoplasma and CMV infection presenting as subacute intestinal obstruction in an immunocompromised patient

Histoplasma in patients with impaired cellular immunity can disseminate to various organs and is known as progressive disseminated histoplasmosis. Similarly cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common opportunistic pathogen in an immunocompromised host. The authors report an older male with symptoms and radiological evidence of subacute intestinal obstruction. The patient had concerns for compromised immune system as he was on chronic prednisone and methotrexate therapy. Follow-up colonoscopy revealed a stricture in the proximal ascending colon. Biopsy of the stricture revealed ulcer with granulomatous inflammation including well-formed granulomas and an infiltrate of histiocytes within the lamina propria. Special stains on the specimen showed fungal structures consistent with Histoplasma capsulatum. Immunochemistry showed presence of CMV in the tissue. The patient had good response to antimicrobial therapy and did not have progression of intestinal obstruction. This case highlights the need to consider infectious pathology in immunocompromised patients presenting with obstructive symptoms.

An Apple-core Lesion in the Colon: An Infectious Etiology

Gastrointestinal involvement occurs in about 70% to 90% of histoplasmosis cases but is usually not the initial manifestation. We present the case of a 52-yearold HIV-positive woman who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms and an apple-core lesion on CT scan of the abdomen. The patient had been diagnosed with histoplasma colitis eight months earlier and was started on long-term itraconazole therapy. However, she prematurely discontinued treatment. A colonoscopy during the present hospitalization revealed a 3.5-cm mass, biopsies of which revealed Histoplasma capsulatum. In the present report, we discuss the differential diagnosis of apple-core lesions in the colon and the importance of keeping histoplasmosis on the differential diagnosis, especially in endemic areas like the Ohio River valley. It is equally important to ensure compliance with treatment of histoplasmosis, as well as close follow-up, as progression to colonic obstruction while on medical management has been reported.

Human T Lymphotropic virus-1 associated gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in Peru

We report a 72-year-old patient with chronic diarrhoea and histologic evidence of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis. He had no history of HIV or of taking immunosuppressive drugs. The patient was found to be a carrier of Human T-lymphotropic virus-1, a condition associated with inflammatory, lymphoproliferative, and opportunistic infectious diseases. To our knowledge, there are only three previous cases reporting this coinfection and this is the first documented case with gastrointestinal involvement.

Disseminated histoplasmosis in a liver transplant recipient

A 61-yr-old liver transplant recipient presented with abdominal cramping and nonbloody diarrhea resulting in orthostasis. Multiple ulcerations throughout the colon were seen during endoscopy, and biopsies from the ulcer edges revealed histoplasmosis. Treatment with a course of itraconazole improved the diarrhea. The patient later presented with pericarditis and symptomatic pleural effusions, the latter of which was confirmed to be a result of disseminated histoplasmosis. Treatment with amphotericin B led to resolution. Histoplasmosis should be considered in liver transplant patients with diarrhea and large ulcers in the colon. The presence of disseminated histoplasmosis should be ruled out once colonic histoplasmosis has been diagnosed.

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: report of 18 cases and literature review

No large case series of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis (GIH) in patients with AIDS has been published. We report 18 cases and review 34 published cases in the medical literature. We did a retrospective chart review from patients seen in our medical practices between 1989 and 2004. Most of our patients were men who had sex with men and who were not receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Median CD4 count was 34/muL. The most common presenting symptoms were diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The most commonly involved site was the colon or cecum. Biopsies revealed visible Histoplasma capsulatum organisms in 89%. Cultures from any site were positive in 76.9%. Four patients died from GIH. Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis occurs in severely immunocompromised patients with AIDS not receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Typical manifestations include diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood or gastrointestinal tissue culture. Improvements in antiretroviral and antifungal therapies appear to have reduced the incidence of GIH and may improve the prognosis of this disease.

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis (GIH) is an uncommon disease with protean manifestations. It may occur as a result of mediastinal histoplasmosis or in the setting of progressive dissemination. GIH may be misdiagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease, malignancy, or other intestinal diseases leading to inappropriate therapies and unnecessary surgical interventions. Patients with bowel obstruction, perforation, or bleeding, and systemic findings suggestive of histoplasmosis should be evaluated for GIH. This is especially true for immunosuppressed patients, especially those with AIDS. Diagnosis first requires consideration of histoplasmosis in the differential in patients with the above types of gastrointestinal abnormalities, and second, familiarity with a battery of mycologic and serologic tests. Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH) is lethal if left untreated, and treatment is highly effective. This review will focus on the clinical and histopathologic features of GIH, the approach to diagnosis, and recommendations for treatment.

Colonic Histoplasmosis Presenting as Colon Cancer in the Nonimmunocotnpromised Patient: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Histoplasma capsulatum is an important pathogen that is the most commonly diagnosed endemic mycosis in the gastrointestinal tract of immunocompromised hosts. Failure to recognize and treat disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS patients invariably leads to death. Gastrointestinal manifestations frequently involve the terminal ileum and cecum, and depending on the layer of bowel wall involved present as bleeding, obstruction, perforation, or peritonitis. Because they can be variable in appearance, they may be mistaken for Crohn's disease or malignant tumors. Four distinct pathologic patterns of GI histoplasmosis have been described that all have differing clinical presentations. We report a case of a non-AIDS patient who presented with a near-obstructing colonic mass suspicious for advanced malignancy but was found to have histoplasmosis on final pathology. The patient underwent successful operative resection, systemic antifungal therapy, and extensive workup for immunosuppressive disorders, which were negative. The patient was from an area in Mexico known to be endemic for histoplasmosis. This is the first report of a colonic mass lesion occurring in a non-AIDS patient, and review of the worldwide literature regarding GI histoplasmosis reveals excellent long-term survival with aggressive therapy. We discuss the surgical and medical management of colonic histoplasmosis in this report.

Intramedullary histoplasmosis spinal cord abscess in a nonendemic region: case report and review of the literature

An immunocompetent patient from a nonendemic region developed a rare intramedullary thoracic histoplasmoma. A native Arizonan, with no history of travel to endemic regions, received 3 months of itraconazole for confirmed gastrointestinal histoplasmosis at an outside institution. Two years later she experienced the rapid onset of paraplegia and lost bowel and bladder function. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a ring-enhancing intramedullary lesion at T2 and signal abnormality from C2 to T5. Emergent T2-T3 laminectomy was performed with ultrasonographically guided intradural exploration and midline myelotomy. The intramedullary abscess was drained. She was nonambulatory, but motor function was partially restored. An Ommaya reservoir was later placed to deliver amphotericin and a new antifungal agent, voriconazole. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the infection had resolved. Intramedullary spinal histoplasmoma is a rare manifestation of disseminated histoplasmosis, particularly in nonendemic regions. Surgery for focal mass lesions and aggressive antifungal chemotherapy are the optimal treatment. Newer central nervous system-penetrating antibiotics show promise in refractory cases.

Gastrointestinal infections in the immunocompromised host

Immunocompromised patients, including patients with AIDS, solid organ and bone marrow transplant recipients, patients with leukemia and lymphoma, patients with inherited immune deficiencies, and patients on immunosuppressive therapy for a variety of disorders, are at risk for infections-particularly opportunistic infections, which, by definition, do not infect the healthy host. All systems of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, are susceptible. The esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine are sites of infection for viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Symptoms can range in severity from fevers of unknown etiology to life-threatening hemorrhage and perforation. This review summarizes recent case reports, clinical studies, and reviews pertaining to pathogens that uniquely cause disease, more frequently cause disease, or cause more severe disease in the immunocompromised host than in the immunocompetent host.