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Cureus May 2024We describe a recent case of bioprosthetic aortic valve infective endocarditis successfully managed at our institution. This led us to perform a literature review of...
We describe a recent case of bioprosthetic aortic valve infective endocarditis successfully managed at our institution. This led us to perform a literature review of endemic fungal infective endocarditis in the United States caused by , , and . Symptoms preceded infective endocarditis diagnosis by several months. Patients with and infective endocarditis were younger with fewer comorbid conditions. Valvular involvement was relatively uncommon in infective endocarditis (27%). Fungemia was noted in patients with infective endocarditis due to (30%) and (18%). Mortality rates for infective endocarditis were high (, 46%; , 58%; , 80%); infective endocarditis was commonly diagnosed post-mortem ( 58%; 89%). Most surviving patients with infective endocarditis ( 79%; 80%) underwent valve surgery along with prolonged antifungal therapy. The two surviving patients with infective endocarditis received antifungal therapy without surgery.
PubMed: 38746483
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60285 -
Cureus Apr 2024A 79-year-old man with type II diabetes mellitus and recently diagnosed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura presented to the Emergency Department with progressive...
A 79-year-old man with type II diabetes mellitus and recently diagnosed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura presented to the Emergency Department with progressive dyspnea over the course of two weeks. He was found to have diffuse miliary nodules, dense cavitary consolidation, and widespread cystic changes on chest imaging and died within 48 hours of admission to the hospital. His serum Coccidioides antibody and urine Histoplasma antigen were both positive. He later grew from the blood, supporting the theory that Histoplasma positivity was likely the result of antigen test cross-reactivity. Coccidioidomycosis typically presents with mild, self-limited symptoms, but may also disseminate rapidly, causing fulminant, life-threatening disease. Prompt recognition of risk factors for fulminant coccidioidomycosis and understanding flaws in serologic testing are essential to the appropriate diagnosis and management of this disease.
PubMed: 38738009
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58129 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... May 2024
PubMed: 38735656
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciae258 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) May 2024Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, is endemic in many parts of the world. However, this is not common in Japan. We herein present a...
Disseminated Histoplasmosis presenting with panniculitis and macrophage activation syndrome in a patient undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD).
Histoplasmosis, a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, is endemic in many parts of the world. However, this is not common in Japan. We herein present a unique case of military histoplasmosis in a 45-year-old female with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) who was receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The histological findings coupled with molecular confirmation led to final a diagnosis. This case emphasizes the diagnostic challenges associated with histoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients and underscores the importance of considering it in the differential diagnosis of any atypical presentation in rheumatic patients.
PubMed: 38719595
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.3597-24 -
Clinical Nephrology. Case Studies 2024A 19-year-old woman with a history of asthma presented with acute confusion following a near-drowning event 2 weeks prior to admission. She was found to have severe...
A 19-year-old woman with a history of asthma presented with acute confusion following a near-drowning event 2 weeks prior to admission. She was found to have severe thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA). The treatment for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was started on the day of admission due to high clinical suspicion. Subsequent workup confirmed a diagnosis of TTP with no clear etiology except the near-drowning incident. TTP following a near-drowning event has never been reported in the literature. Furthermore, she developed refractory TTP that required reinitiation of therapeutic plasma exchange and rituximab. After discharge, the patient had been doing well over a year of follow-up without remission.
PubMed: 38716112
DOI: 10.5414/CNCS111301 -
European Journal of Case Reports in... 2024Histoplasmosis is a soil-based dimorphic fungus endemic to the Midwest and Southeastern United States and is responsible for infection through inhalation of conidia....
UNLABELLED
Histoplasmosis is a soil-based dimorphic fungus endemic to the Midwest and Southeastern United States and is responsible for infection through inhalation of conidia. Infection is usually asymptomatic, as the fungal growth is contained by formation of granulomas. However, dissemination can occur in immunocompromised hosts due to the lack of optimal activity of interferon gamma, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-17. There is a significant overlap between the symptomatology of histoplasmosis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). We report a case of a 48-year-old female who presented with high-grade fever, worsening generalised weakness and tachycardia. She had a previous history of bilateral cavitary lung lesions for which she was evaluated at an outside facility. As her entire infectious investigation was negative and found to be positive for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), a diagnosis of GPA was made, and she was initiated on rituximab infusions 7 weeks prior to her presentation to our facility. Repeat infectious investigations at our facility were positive for (1-3)-β-D-glucan test and urine histoplasma antigen. Prompt discontinuation of rituximab and initiation of systemic antifungal therapy led to clinical improvement. Based on this experience, we highlight the association of histoplasma with ANCA positivity along with the importance of closely monitoring these patients for possible clinical worsening after the initiation of TNF-alpha inhibitors, despite the negative infectious work-up. Also routine screening or pre-emptive therapy for histoplasmosis before the initiation of TNF-inhibitors is not recommended.
LEARNING POINTS
Histoplasmosis is associated with ANCA positivity.Despite the negative investigations for histoplasmosis and criteria for GPA being met, patients should be closely monitored for possible clinical worsening after the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, especially TNF-alpha inhibitors.Current guidelines are not recommending routine screening or pre-emptive therapy for histoplasmosis before initiation of TNF-alpha inhibitors.
PubMed: 38715876
DOI: 10.12890/2024_004467 -
Epidemiology and Infection May 2024The mycosis histoplasmosis is also considered a zoonosis that affects humans and other mammalian species worldwide. Among the wild mammals predisposed to be infected...
The mycosis histoplasmosis is also considered a zoonosis that affects humans and other mammalian species worldwide. Among the wild mammals predisposed to be infected with the etiologic agent of histoplasmosis, bats are relevant because they are reservoir of species, and they play a fundamental role in maintaining and spreading fungal propagules in the environments since the infective mycelial phase of grows in their accumulated guano. In this study, we detected the fungal presence in organ samples of bats randomly captured in urban areas of Araraquara City, São Paulo, Brazil. Fungal detection was performed using a nested polymerase chain reaction to amplify a molecular marker (Hcp100) unique to , which revealed the pathogen presence in organ samples from 15 out of 37 captured bats, indicating 40.5% of infection. Out of 22 Hcp100-amplicons generated, 41% corresponded to lung and trachea samples and 59% to spleen, liver, and kidney samples. Data from these last three organs suggest that bats develop disseminated infections. Considering that infected bats create environments with a high risk of infection, it is important to register the percentage of infected bats living in urban areas to avoid risks of infection to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Brazil; Histoplasma; Histoplasmosis; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 38705586
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268824000657 -
The American Journal of Case Reports May 2024BACKGROUND Histoplasmosis is typically associated with immunocompromised individuals, but cases in immunocompetent patients are rare. Primary cutaneous histoplasmosis...
BACKGROUND Histoplasmosis is typically associated with immunocompromised individuals, but cases in immunocompetent patients are rare. Primary cutaneous histoplasmosis (PCH) is a challenging diagnosis due to its clinical polymorphism and can mimic other infectious and non-infectious diseases. Previous cases of PCH have been reported in immunocompetent patients with underlying medical conditions or trauma history. So far there have been no reports of PCH after platelet-rich plasma (PRP) application due to inadequate hygiene measures in an immunocompetent host. CASE REPORT This case report presents a rare occurrence of PCH following a cosmetic procedure (PRP injection) in an immunocompetent patient. The patient developed nodule-like lesions at the application sites, which progressed to ulceration with purulent discharge. Initially, atypical mycobacterial infection was suspected, and empirical antibiotic therapy was initiated. Complementary tests were performed, ruling out immunosuppression and systemic pathogens. The patient showed complete resolution of the lesions after one month of atypical treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX). Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PCH with intracytoplasmic inclusions of Histoplasma sp. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of considering histoplasmosis as a diagnostic possibility, especially in hyperendemic areas like Venezuela. Direct inoculation of Histoplasma sp. after aesthetic procedures without proper hygiene measures can lead to pathological lesions, even in immunocompetent individuals. TMP/SMX can be considered as an alternative treatment option in the absence of the first-line medication. Further exploration of this treatment approach may benefit patients with similar clinical conditions or when ideal treatment options are unavailable.
Topics: Humans; Histoplasmosis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Female; Cosmetic Techniques; Dermatomycoses; Immunocompetence; Adult
PubMed: 38702880
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942660 -
Medical Mycology May 2024Antigen testing is an important diagnostic tool for histoplasmosis but has limited availability globally. We evaluated the OIDx urine lateral flow antigen assay among...
Antigen testing is an important diagnostic tool for histoplasmosis but has limited availability globally. We evaluated the OIDx urine lateral flow antigen assay among 204 persons suspected to have histoplasmosis. Among patients with proven histoplasmosis, sensitivity was 33.3% (3/9, 95% CI 7.5-70.1%) and specificity 80.5% (157/195, 95% CI 74.3-85.8%). The MiraVista urine antigen test had better specificity (96.9%) and equal sensitivity. The OIDx test demonstrated 33.3% (3/9) positive agreement and 84.0% (163/194) negative agreement with the MiraVista test. These results should be considered in the context of our low HIV prevalence population with a mixture of pulmonary and disseminated disease.
PubMed: 38702848
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae051 -
Veterinary Clinical Pathology Jun 2024A 9-month-old female intact toy poodle and a 1-year-old female intact Labrador retriever mix presented to separate teaching hospitals for chronic histories of malaise...
A 9-month-old female intact toy poodle and a 1-year-old female intact Labrador retriever mix presented to separate teaching hospitals for chronic histories of malaise and clinicopathologic evidence of hepatic dysfunction. The signalment and clinical histories of these dogs prompted consideration of a congenital portosystemic shunt as a primary differential. However, microscopic evaluation of peritoneal effusion, pleural effusion, and peripheral blood samples from the dogs revealed round to ovoid yeast organisms morphologically most compatible with Histoplasma capsulatum. Additional testing confirmed histoplasmosis in each case. The poodle underwent a computed tomography (CT) study, which showed hepatomegaly with a spleno-gonadal shunt, pancreatic and gastric wall edema, and marked peritoneal effusion, findings compatible with portal hypertension and secondary acquired shunt formation. The dog was later humanely euthanized due to clinical deterioration, and on necropsy hepatic histoplasmosis was verified, with additional affected tissues comprising lungs and spleen. The Labrador Retriever mix responded clinically and clinicopathologically to antifungal therapy, though no abdominal imaging was performed to definitively exclude the possibility of a congenital portosystemic shunt. In retrospect, several features were more compatible with histoplasmosis than portosystemic shunt in these cases, including hyperbilirubinemia, effusion, and hepatomegaly. These findings serve as a reminder of the need to interpret serum biochemical findings in the context of the totality of the clinicopathologic data and imaging findings, as well as the diagnostic value of microscopy in the evaluation of hematologic and body cavity fluid samples.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Histoplasmosis; Dog Diseases; Female; Antifungal Agents; Histoplasma; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 38684471
DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13354