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Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021Histoplasmosis is an endemic fungal infection that is confined to specific geographical regions. spp. are primary pathogens that cause disease in both immunocompetent... (Review)
Review
Histoplasmosis is an endemic fungal infection that is confined to specific geographical regions. spp. are primary pathogens that cause disease in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, ranging from a single-organ (mostly affecting the lungs) infection to life-threatening disseminated disease. Knowledge about the clinical epidemiology relies on data from adult populations; little is known about the patient and disease characteristics in the paediatric population. Therefore, a structured review of published cases of paediatric histoplasmosis between 2000 and 2019 was performed. A literature search of PubMed was conducted and the epidemiological and clinical data from 83 cases were analysed. The mean age at presentation was 9.5 ± 5.5 years, and 51% were girls. Two-thirds of the children were immunocompromised. The majority of children presented with disseminated disease. The most frequently observed clinical symptoms were respiratory symptoms, alongside non-specific systemic features, including fever, myalgia, fatigue and weight loss. The mortality rate was 11%. Histoplasmosis affects children of any age. Being immunocompromised is a risk factor for severe and disseminated disease. The lack of specific presenting features leads to underreporting and delay in diagnosis. To improve the recognition and outcome of histoplasmosis in childhood, increased awareness and surveillance systems are warranted.
PubMed: 34199970
DOI: 10.3390/jof7060448 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Mar 2021Histoplasmosis is a worldwide-distributed systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Its clinical manifestations range from subclinical or... (Review)
Review
Histoplasmosis is a worldwide-distributed systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Its clinical manifestations range from subclinical or mild respiratory illness to progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH), a life-threatening disease, whose accurate diagnosis is still challenging and limited in many countries, where this disease is highly endemic. In this regard, Histoplasma antigen testing is now included in the WHO Essential Diagnostics List. The final diagnosis of histoplasmosis is established by culture and/or visualization of the yeast cells by cytology or histopathology using specific stains. However, both procedures have limited sensitivity to detect the disease and cultures are time-consuming. Antibody detection assays are effective for the subacute and chronic clinical forms of histoplasmosis. However, their sensitivity is low in the immunocompromised host. Several molecular "in-house" tests were also developed and showed promising results, but none of these tests are commercially available and their standardization and validation are still pending. Antigen detection assays have high sensitivity in PDH cases and are of great value for the follow-up of patients with histoplasmosis; however, cross-reactivity with other related fungi are common. In addition, this assay is expensive and only performed in few laboratories. Novel protein antigen candidates have been recently identified and produced by DNA-recombinant techniques in order to obtain standardized and specific reagents for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis, as opposed to the unspecific antigens or crude extracts currently used. This review describes the currently available assays, highlighting their strengths and limitations and reports the latest approaches to achieve reliable and rapid diagnostic tests for histoplasmosis. KEY POINTS: • PDH causes thousands of deaths per year globally. • Rapid accurate diagnosis of PDH is unfeasible in many regions. • Fast, accurate, and low-cost diagnostic alternatives are currently under development.
Topics: Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Histoplasma; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 33587157
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11170-9 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024, the etiological agent for histoplasmosis, is a dimorphic fungus that grows as a mold in the environment and as a yeast in human tissues. It has a broad global... (Review)
Review
, the etiological agent for histoplasmosis, is a dimorphic fungus that grows as a mold in the environment and as a yeast in human tissues. It has a broad global distribution with shifting epidemiology during recent decades. While in immunocompetent individuals infection is usually self-resolving, solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of symptomatic disease with dissemination to extrapulmonary tissue. Diagnosis of histoplasmosis relies on direct observation of the pathogen (histopathology, cytopathology, and culture) or detection of antigens, antibodies, or nucleic acids. All transplant recipients with histoplasmosis warrant therapy, though the agent of choice and duration of therapy depends on the severity of disease. In the present article, we describe the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and management of histoplasmosis in solid organ transplant recipients.
PubMed: 38392796
DOI: 10.3390/jof10020124 -
Balkan Medical Journal Oct 2019
Topics: Adrenal Glands; Aged, 80 and over; Anorexia; Histoplasma; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Male; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 31397142
DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2019.2019.4.104 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021In areas where is endemic in the environment, occupations involving activities exposing workers to soil that contains bird or bat droppings may pose a risk for... (Review)
Review
In areas where is endemic in the environment, occupations involving activities exposing workers to soil that contains bird or bat droppings may pose a risk for histoplasmosis. Occupational exposures are frequently implicated in histoplasmosis outbreaks. In this paper, we review the literature on occupationally acquired histoplasmosis. We describe the epidemiology, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls.
PubMed: 34206791
DOI: 10.3390/jof7070510 -
Open Biology Mar 2022Exposure to fungal pathogens from the environment is inevitable and with the number of at-risk populations increasing, the prevalence of invasive fungal infection is on... (Review)
Review
Exposure to fungal pathogens from the environment is inevitable and with the number of at-risk populations increasing, the prevalence of invasive fungal infection is on the rise. An interesting group of fungal organisms known as thermally dimorphic fungi predominantly infects immunocompromised individuals. These potential pathogens are intriguing in that they survive in the environment in one form, mycelial phase, but when entering the host, they are triggered by the change in temperature to switch to a new pathogenic form. Considering the growing prevalence of infection and the need for improved diagnostic and treatment approaches, studies identifying key components of fungal recognition and the innate immune response to these pathogens will significantly contribute to our understanding of disease progression. This review focuses on key endemic dimorphic fungal pathogens that significantly contribute to disease, including , and species. We briefly describe their prevalence, route of infection and clinical presentation. Importantly, we have reviewed the major fungal cell wall components of these dimorphic fungi, the host pattern recognition receptors responsible for recognition and important innate immune responses supporting adaptive immunity and fungal clearance or the failure thereof.
Topics: Fungi; Histoplasma; Humans; Immunity, Innate
PubMed: 35259948
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210219 -
FEMS Microbiology Reviews Sep 2021Fungal infections (mycoses) affect over a billion people per year. Approximately, two million of these infections are life-threatening, especially for patients with a... (Review)
Review
Fungal infections (mycoses) affect over a billion people per year. Approximately, two million of these infections are life-threatening, especially for patients with a compromised immune system. Fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Candida, Histoplasma and Cryptococcus are opportunistic pathogens that contribute to a substantial number of mycoses. To optimize the diagnosis and treatment of mycoses, we need to understand the complex fungal-host interplay during pathogenesis, the fungal attributes causing virulence and how the host resists infection via immunological defenses. In vitro models can be used to mimic fungal infections of various tissues and organs and the corresponding immune responses at near-physiological conditions. Furthermore, models can include fungal interactions with the host-microbiota to mimic the in vivo situation on skin and mucosal surfaces. This article reviews currently used in vitro models of fungal infections ranging from cell monolayers to microfluidic 3D organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms. We also discuss how OOC models can expand the toolbox for investigating interactions of fungi and their human hosts in the future.
Topics: Fungi; Humans; Microbiota; Mycoses; Virulence
PubMed: 33524102
DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab005 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Apr 2022Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection principally affecting pulmonary tissue; sometimes, histoplasmosis can progress into a systemic disease. This infection involves... (Review)
Review
Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection principally affecting pulmonary tissue; sometimes, histoplasmosis can progress into a systemic disease. This infection involves immunocompetent and immunosuppressed human and other mammalian hosts, depending on particular circumstances. Histoplasmosis infection has been documented worldwide. The infection is acquired by inhaling infective mycelial propagules of the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. New reports of clinical cases of histoplasmosis in extreme latitudes could be related to human social adaptations and climate changes in the world, which are creating new favorable environments for this fungus and for bats, its major natural reservoirs and dispersers. has been isolated from most continents, and it is considered a complex of cryptic species, consisting of various groups of isolates that differ genetically and correlate with a particular geographic distribution. Based on updated studies, taxonomy is adjusting to new genetic data. Here, we have suggested that has at least 14 phylogenetic species distributed worldwide and new genotypes that could be under deliberation. 's geographic radiation began in South America millions of years ago when the continents were joined and the climate was favorable. For fungal spreading, the role of bats and some birds is crucial, although other natural factors could also participate.
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Histoplasma; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Lung; Phylogeny
PubMed: 35262368
DOI: 10.1128/aem.02010-21 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 2022Histoplasmosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. The 2 variants Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Histoplasmosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. The 2 variants Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum (Hcc) and Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (Hcd) causes infection in humans and commonly termed classical or American histoplasmosis and African histoplasmosis, respectively. Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (Hcf) affects equines. In recent times, there have been heightened sensitization on fungal infections such as histoplasmosis in Africa, aimed at improving awareness among relevant stakeholders, particularly healthcare workers. This effort is expected to be paralleled with increased detection of both classical and African histoplasmosis, which has remained underdiagnosed over the years. In this narrative review, we describe the current perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest research priorities.
METHODS
A PubMed, Google Scholar, and Africa Journal Online (AJOL) literature search was conducted for studies on histoplasmosis in Africa between 2000 and 2020. Histoplasmosis essays in medical mycology textbooks were also consulted. This narrative review was prepared from the data gathered.
FINDINGS
In the past 2 decades, histoplasmosis in general has seen a relative increase in case detection in some Africa countries, probably attributable to the gradually increasing medical mycology advocacy efforts in Africa. Histoplasmosis cases are dominated by African histoplasmosis mostly in Western and Central Africa, while classical histoplasmosis is more common in Southern and Northern Africa. Although both classical and African histoplasmosis are common in Africa, the latter is more restricted to Africa, and cases outside the continent usually have a travel history to the continent. Despite the clinical and laboratory difference between African histoplasmosis and classical histoplasmosis, it is not straightforward to distinguish them. The typical manifestation of African histoplasmosis is the appearance of lesions affecting the skin, bones, and lymph nodes and unusually linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. By contrast, classical histoplasmosis mostly affects the lungs and is often associated with immunosuppression, mainly HIV/AIDS. The present perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa highlight unclear details on the true burden, strain diversity, infection route and genetic basis of African histoplasmosis, availability of specie-specific diagnostic tools, and compliance with recommended antifungal therapy. These knowledge gaps represent research questions that require scientific exploration.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite a subtle increase in identifying histoplasmosis cases in Africa, it remains underdiagnosed and neglected in some parts of the continent. Increasing awareness and training among healthcare workers, bridging diagnostic and therapeutic gaps, and encouraging more research in Africa are crucial to improve the current perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Awareness; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Histoplasma; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Research
PubMed: 35202403
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010111 -
Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease Jul 2019The aim of the study was to review uncommon foreskin dermatopathology conditions clinically and pathologically.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was to review uncommon foreskin dermatopathology conditions clinically and pathologically.
METHODS
A database search of PubMed and Google Scholar were extracted between March 1, 2009, and March 1, 2019, using the search terms "foreskin," "prepuce," "penis," "pathology," "dermatology," and "rare." The search was limited to "humans" and "dermatopathology." Full article texts were reviewed. Reference lists were screened for additional articles. Patient details (diagnosis, dermatopathology, treatment, and follow-up if available) were extracted. We excluded articles written in the non-English language, unusual variants of common conditions, and cases of common dermatologic conditions.
RESULTS
A list of 369 articles was identified and another screening identified 30 articles for rare foreskin pathologies. Those are divided into categories based on the following etiologies: (a) benign, including congenital (e.g., aposthia), infectious (graft versus host disease and histoplasma), autoimmune (Crohn's disease and pyoderma gangrenosum), and benign neoplasms (neurofibroma, apocrine hidrocystoma, verruciform xanthoma, porokeratosis, penile cutaneous horn, localized amyloidosis) and (b) malignancies, including primary (myeloid sarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma), and metastasis.
CONCLUSIONS
We reviewed and discussed unusual benign and malignant dermatopathology conditions that can affect the foreskin.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Autoimmune Diseases; Child; Child, Preschool; Dermatitis; Foreskin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Penile Neoplasms
PubMed: 31149956
DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000478