BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of histoplasmosis have been increasingly reported in association with travel to endemic areas. Multiple outbreaks have been reported following travel to the Americas, but reports of pulmonary histoplasmosis in short-term immunocompetent travelers to Africa are rare. METHODS: A biology student was referred to our unit with suspected pulmonary histoplasmosis following her return from a field trip in the Ugandan rainforest. The patient informed us that several of her multinational student colleagues on the same expedition had developed a similar illness. Using an alert in ProMED-mail and a questionnaire forwarded to each of the symptomatic students, we accumulated data on the other cases involved in this apparent outbreak of pulmonary histoplasmosis. RESULTS: Thirteen of 24 students developed respiratory symptoms following the expedition. Chest X-ray appearances were often suggestive of miliary tuberculosis but in most cases a final diagnosis of histoplasmosis was made (confirmed with serology in five cases, clinically diagnosed in six, and retrospectively suspected in two). Detailed questioning indicated that the likely source was a large hollow bat-infested tree within the rainforest. CONCLUSIONS: This is an unusual outbreak of histoplasmosis following short-term travel to Africa. Pulmonary histoplasmosis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute febrile respiratory illness in travelers returning from endemic areas or reporting activities suggesting exposure.
BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of histoplasmosis have been increasingly reported in association with travel to endemic areas. Multiple outbreaks have been reported following travel to the Americas, but reports of pulmonary histoplasmosis in short-term immunocompetent travelers to Africa are rare. METHODS: A biology student was referred to our unit with suspected pulmonary histoplasmosis following her return from a field trip in the Ugandan rainforest. The patient informed us that several of her multinational student colleagues on the same expedition had developed a similar illness. Using an alert in ProMED-mail and a questionnaire forwarded to each of the symptomatic students, we accumulated data on the other cases involved in this apparent outbreak of pulmonary histoplasmosis. RESULTS: Thirteen of 24 students developed respiratory symptoms following the expedition. Chest X-ray appearances were often suggestive of miliary tuberculosis but in most cases a final diagnosis of histoplasmosis was made (confirmed with serology in five cases, clinically diagnosed in six, and retrospectively suspected in two). Detailed questioning indicated that the likely source was a large hollow bat-infested tree within the rainforest. CONCLUSIONS: This is an unusual outbreak of histoplasmosis following short-term travel to Africa. Pulmonary histoplasmosis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute febrile respiratory illness in travelers returning from endemic areas or reporting activities suggesting exposure.
Authors: Michael J Segel; Judith Rozenman; Mark D Lindsley; Tamar Lachish; Neville Berkman; Ami Neuberger; Eli Schwartz Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2015-04-27 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Nathan C Bahr; George A Sarosi; David B Meya; Paul R Bohjanen; Sarah M Richer; Samantha Swartzentruber; Ryan Halupnick; Deidre Jarrett; L Joseph Wheat; David R Boulware Journal: Med Mycol Date: 2015-11-02 Impact factor: 4.076
Authors: Helmut J F Salzer; Rhett J Stoney; Kristina M Angelo; Thierry Rolling; Martin P Grobusch; Michael Libman; Rogelio López-Vélez; Alexandre Duvignaud; Hilmir Ásgeirsson; Clara Crespillo-Andújar; Eli Schwartz; Philippe Gautret; Emmanuel Bottieau; Sabine Jordan; Christoph Lange; Davidson H Hamer Journal: J Travel Med Date: 2018-08-01 Impact factor: 8.490