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Zida A, Guiguemdé TK, Sawadogo MP, Tchekounou C, Sangaré I, Bamba S. Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features of histoplasmosis: A systematic review. J Mycol Med 2024; 34:101474. [PMID: 38484562 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2024.101474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a mycosis due to a dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This study aimed at providing an overview of histoplasmosis epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects from the last 30 years. This review was carried out using a systematic literature search on histoplasmosis from 1992 to 2021. We describe the clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment. Empirical searches were conducted via the databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Between 1992 and 2021, 190 manuscripts were published and reported 212 cases of histoplasmosis. These publications included 115 and 97 cases of American and African histoplasmosis respectively. The number of publications increased over the last ten years with a maximum in 2020 (12.34 % of the cases reported). The disseminated forms of histoplasmosis were the most frequently reported cases as compared to the localized forms. This was the case with the American histoplasmosis (75.65 %) as well as with the African histoplasmosis (55.67 %). Itraconazole (31.17 %) and Amphotericin B (26.62 %) were the most used drugs in the management of these cases. American histoplasmosis is distributed worldwide whereas African histoplasmosis is mainly present in intertropical Africa. There is a critical need for setting up a global surveillance system, towards a better understanding of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adama Zida
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo (UJKZ), 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso; Service de parasitologie-mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yalgado Ouédraogo, 03 BP 7022 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso; Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, 01 BP 2208 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso.
| | - Thierry K Guiguemdé
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo (UJKZ), 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso; Service de parasitologie-mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Charles de Gaulle, 01 BP 1198 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Marcel P Sawadogo
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo (UJKZ), 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso; Service de parasitologie-mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yalgado Ouédraogo, 03 BP 7022 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Chanolle Tchekounou
- Institut International des Sciences et Technologies (IISTech), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Ibrahim Sangaré
- Service de parasitologie-mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Souro Sanou, 01 BP 676 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso; Institut des Sciences de la Santé, Université Nazi Boni (UNB), 01 BP 1091 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Sanata Bamba
- Service de parasitologie-mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Souro Sanou, 01 BP 676 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso; Institut des Sciences de la Santé, Université Nazi Boni (UNB), 01 BP 1091 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso
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Abad CLR, Razonable RR. Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Endemic Mycoses After Solid Organ Transplantation: A Comprehensive Review. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae036. [PMID: 38444820 PMCID: PMC10913849 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Geographically endemic fungi can cause significant disease among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We provide an update on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of 5 endemic mycoses in SOT recipients. Methods Multiple databases were reviewed from inception through May 2023 using key words for endemic fungi (eg, coccidioidomycosis or Coccidioides, histoplasmosis or Histoplasma, etc). We included adult SOT recipients and publications in English or with English translation. Results Among 16 cohort studies that reported on blastomycosis (n = 3), coccidioidomycosis (n = 5), histoplasmosis (n = 4), and various endemic mycoses (n = 4), the incidence rates varied, as follows: coccidioidomycosis, 1.2%-5.8%; blastomycosis, 0.14%-0.99%; and histoplasmosis, 0.4%-1.1%. There were 204 reports describing 268 unique cases of endemic mycoses, including 172 histoplasmosis, 31 blastomycosis, 34 coccidioidomycosis, 6 paracoccidioidomycosis, and 25 talaromycosis cases. The majority of patients were male (176 of 261 [67.4%]). Transplanted allografts were mostly kidney (192 of 268 [71.6%]), followed by liver (n = 39 [14.6%]), heart (n = 18 [6.7%]), lung (n = 13 [4.9%]), and combined kidney-liver and kidney-pancreas (n = 6 [2.7%]). In all 5 endemic mycoses, most patients presented with fever (162 of 232 [69.8%]) and disseminated disease (179 of 268 [66.8%]). Cytopenias were frequently reported for histoplasmosis (71 of 91 [78.0%]), coccidioidomycosis (8 of 11 [72.7%]) and talaromycosis (7 of 8 [87.5%]). Graft loss was reported in 12 of 136 patients (8.8%). Death from all-causes was reported in 71 of 267 (26.6%); half of the deaths (n = 34 [50%]) were related to the underlying mycoses. Conclusions Endemic mycoses commonly present with fever, cytopenias and disseminated disease in SOT recipients. There is a relatively high all-cause mortality rate, including many deaths that were attributed to endemic mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cybele Lara R Abad
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Raymund R Razonable
- Department of Medicine, Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, and The William J Von Liebig Center for Transplantation and Clinical Regeneration, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Ekeng BE, Itam-Eyo AE, Osaigbovo II, Warris A, Oladele RO, Bongomin F, Denning DW. Gastrointestinal Histoplasmosis: A Descriptive Review, 2001-2021. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:689. [PMID: 36983844 PMCID: PMC10051669 DOI: 10.3390/life13030689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassey E. Ekeng
- Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar 540271, Nigeria
| | - Asa E. Itam-Eyo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar 540271, Nigeria
| | - Iriagbonse I. Osaigbovo
- Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City 300213, Nigeria
| | - Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Rita O. Oladele
- Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, Uganda
| | - David W. Denning
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
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Inayat F, Nawaz G, Afzal A, Ajmal M, Haider M, Sarfraz M, Haq ZU, Taj S, Ishtiaq R. Isolated Colonic Histoplasmosis in Patients Undergoing Immunomodulator Therapy: A Systematic Review. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2023; 11:23247096231179448. [PMID: 37293945 PMCID: PMC10262664 DOI: 10.1177/23247096231179448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis remains an inconspicuous clinicopathologic entity. It is predominantly considered a protean manifestation of disseminated disease. We hereby delineate a unique case of biopsy-proven isolated colonic histoplasmosis in a patient undergoing methotrexate therapy. Furthermore, we present the first systematic review of the MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases regarding isolated colonic histoplasmosis in adult patients receiving immunomodulator therapy (IMT). A total of 13 case reports (level of clinical evidence: IV) were identified. The mean age was 55.6 ± 11.1 years, with 9 (69.2%) cases reported in women. Patients with subclinical disease (5, 38.5%) were often incidentally diagnosed by screening colonoscopy. Symptomatic individuals predominantly presented with diarrhea (4, 30.8%), weight loss (3, 23.1%), and/or abdominal pain (3, 23.1%). IMT was mainly administered for liver transplant (4, 30.8%), renal transplant (4, 30.8%), and ulcerative colitis (2, 15.4%). Common colonoscopy features included colonic ulcerations (7, 53.8%), polyps or pseudopolyps (3, 23.1%), and/or mass-like lesions (3, 23.1%). Diagnosis was made by histology of colonic biopsy in 11 (84.6%) and resected specimens in 2 (15.4%) patients. Treatment consisted of a combination of amphotericin B with oral itraconazole in 6 (46.2%), oral itraconazole alone in 5 (38.5%), and amphotericin B alone in 2 (15.4%) patients. Complete clinical recovery was achieved in all patients. This article illustrates that isolated colonic involvement can be the only clinical presentation of histoplasmosis. It may masquerade as other bowel disorders, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic conundrums. Gastroenterologists should rule out colonic histoplasmosis in IMT recipients who develop unexplained colitis symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gul Nawaz
- Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | | | - Maleeha Ajmal
- Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Marjan Haider
- Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Sobaan Taj
- Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, NJ, USA
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Fungal Infections of Implantation: More Than Five Years of Cases of Subcutaneous Fungal Infections Seen at the UK Mycology Reference Laboratory. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040343. [PMID: 35448574 PMCID: PMC9028115 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Subcutaneous fungal infections, which typically result from traumatic introduction (implantation) of fungal elements into the skin or underlying tissues, can present as a range of different clinical entities including phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, subcutaneous nodules or masses, and genuine eumycetoma. Here, we mined our laboratory information management system for such infections in humans and domestic animals for the period 2016–2022, including (i) fungal isolates referred for identification and/or susceptibility testing; (ii) infections diagnosed at our laboratory using panfungal PCR approaches on infected tissue; and (iii) organisms cultured in our laboratory from biopsies. In total, 106 cases were retrieved, involving 39 fungal species comprising 26 distinct genera. Subcutaneous infections with Alternaria species were the most frequent (36 cases), which possibly reflects the ubiquitous nature of this common plant pathogen. A substantial proportion of Alternaria spp. isolates exhibited reduced in vitro susceptibility to voriconazole. Notably, a significant number of subcutaneous infections were diagnosed in renal and other solid organ transplant recipients post transplantation, suggesting that humans may harbour “inert” subcutaneous fungal elements from historical minor injuries that present as clinical infections upon later immunosuppression. The current study underscores the diversity of fungi that can cause subcutaneous infections. While most organisms catalogued here were responsible for occasional infections, several genera (Alternaria, Exophiala, Phaeoacremonuim, Scedosporium) were more frequently recovered in our searches, suggesting that they possess virulence factors that facilitate subcutaneous infections and/or inhabit natural niches that make them more likely to be traumatically inoculated.
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Colonic Histoplasmosis Presenting as Polyps in an Asymptomatic Patient With Liver Transplant. ACG Case Rep J 2021; 8:e00598. [PMID: 34549067 PMCID: PMC8443831 DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection of the gastrointestinal tract by Histoplasma capsulatum is generally considered to be a manifestation of disseminated disease. The most common symptoms from gastrointestinal histoplasmosis include abdominal pain and diarrhea. Isolated asymptomatic gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is unusual, and diagnosis can be challenging. We report a 57-year-old man with a history of liver transplant presented with numerous colonic polyps, and the biopsies demonstrated granulomatous colitis with fungal microorganism consistent with H. capsulatum. Antigen/antibody tests for Histoplasma were confirmatory. The patient was asymptomatic with no clinical or radiological evidence of pulmonary involvement. He responded well to itraconazole treatment, and urine antigen tested negative 6 months after the initiation of the treatment. Follow-up colonoscopy performed 12 months after treatment with itraconazole showed no evidence of colonic histoplasmosis.
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Antinori S, Giacomelli A, Corbellino M, Torre A, Schiuma M, Casalini G, Parravicini C, Milazzo L, Gervasoni C, Ridolfo AL. Histoplasmosis Diagnosed in Europe and Israel: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature from 2005 to 2020. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:481. [PMID: 34198597 PMCID: PMC8231918 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human histoplasmosis is a mycosis caused by two distinct varieties of a dimorphic fungus: Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum and H. capsulatum var. duboisii. In Europe, it is usually imported by migrants and travellers, although there have been some autochthonous cases, especially in Italy; however, most European physicians are unfamiliar with its clinical and pathological picture, particularly among immunocompromised patients without HIV infection. This systematic review of all the cases of histoplasmosis reported in Europe and Israel between 2005 and 2020 identified 728 cases diagnosed in 17 European countries and Israel described in 133 articles. The vast majority were imported (mainly from Central and South America), but there were also seven autochthonous cases (six in Europe and one in Israel). The patients were prevalently males (60.4%), and their ages ranged from 2 to 86 years. The time between leaving an endemic region and the diagnosis of histoplasmosis varied from a few weeks to more than 40 years. Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis was the most frequent clinical picture among people living with HIV infection (89.5%) or a different immunocompromising condition (57.1%), but it was also recorded in 6.2% of immunocompetent patients. Twenty-eight cases were caused by Histoplasma duboisii. Immunocompromised patients without HIV infection had the worst outcomes, with a mortality rate of 32%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spinello Antinori
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (M.S.); (G.C.)
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (M.S.); (G.C.)
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | - Mario Corbellino
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | - Alessandro Torre
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | - Marco Schiuma
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (M.S.); (G.C.)
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | - Giacomo Casalini
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (M.S.); (G.C.)
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | | | - Laura Milazzo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | - Cristina Gervasoni
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
| | - Anna Lisa Ridolfo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (A.T.); (L.M.); (C.G.); (A.L.R.)
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Non LR, Ince D. Infectious Gastroenteritis in Transplant Patients. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2021; 50:415-430. [PMID: 34024449 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Infectious gastroenteritis is common after transplantation and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. A wide range of organisms can lead to gastroenteritis in this patient population. Clostridioides difficile, cytomegalovirus, and norovirus are the most common pathogens. Newer diagnostic methods, especially multiplex polymerase chain reaction, have increased the diagnostic yield of infectious etiologies. In this review, we describe the epidemiology and risk factors for common infectious pathogens leading to gastroenteritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemuel R Non
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, GH SW34, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Dilek Ince
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, GH SE418, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Ferreira GDSA, Watanabe ALC, Trevizoli NDC, Jorge FMF, Camposa PBD, Couto CDF, Lima LVD, Raupp DRL. Colonic Infection by Histoplasma capsulatum in a Liver Transplant Patient: A Case Report. Transplant Proc 2020; 52:1413-1416. [PMID: 32197866 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.01.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. While the lungs are the most common site of infection, disseminated disease affecting multiple organs can occur, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is usually diagnosed in the context of disseminated disease and can present in any part of the digestive system, the ileum being the most frequently affected. We report the case of a 60-year-old female patient who underwent liver transplant for alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The patient had a 10 mm polypoid lesion in the sigmoid colon diagnosed in a screening colonoscopy performed 8 months prior to the transplant, but biopsy was not done for fear of bleeding due to extensive anorectal varices. There were no other lesions in the rest of the colon at that time. Four months after the transplant, the patient was asymptomatic and was submitted to a control colonoscopy, which showed 8 polypoid lesions in different parts of the colon, all of which were biopsied. Histologic results showed extensive infiltration of the colonic mucosa by Histoplasma capsulatum. Imaging and laboratorial screening for other sites of infection was negative, and the patient was treated with itraconazole for 12 months. A marked reduction in the dose of tacrolimus was necessary to maintain therapeutic levels during itraconazole treatment. Asymptomatic isolated colonic histoplasmosis is an uncommon manifestation of infection by Histoplasma capsulatum, with no previous reports in the literature of this condition affecting liver transplant recipients. This manuscript is compliant with the Helsinki Congress and the Istanbul Declaration.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Unlike immunocompetent hosts, solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with posttransplant histoplasmosis (PTH) often present with disseminated disease and have an attributable mortality of approximately 10%. In this review, we discuss currently available diagnostic tests and treatment strategies in PTH. RECENT FINDINGS None of the available tests have a 100% diagnostic accuracy. Histoplasma antigen assays are the most sensitive commercially available tests. However, crossreactivity of histoplasma antigen with aspergillus galactomannan and false positive histoplasma antigen tests because of rabbit antithymocyte globulin may cause difficulty in interpreting positive test results in transplant recipients. Molecular assays such as amplification and sequencing of 'panfungal' portions of the 28S ribosomal RNA from clinical specimens appear to be promising.Lipid formulations of amphotericin B and itraconazole are the drugs of choice in the treatment of PTH. Other extended spectrum azoles also appear to be effective, but, like itraconazole, problems with drug interactions and prolongation of the QTc interval (except for isavuconazole, which shortens the QTc interval) remain. Mycophenolate therapy is associated with severe disease and should be stopped during active disease and, if feasible, calcineurin inhibitors and steroids should be reduced. SUMMARY A combination of various tests (culture, antigen tests, nucleic amplification tests, etc.) should be used to optimize diagnostic yield. The role of unbiased next generation sequencing for early diagnosis and newer azoles in the treatment needs to be further explored.
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