Kaitlin Benedict1, Stephanie McCracken2, Kimberly Signs2, Malia Ireland3, Victoria Amburgey4, Jose Antonio Serrano5, Natalie Christophe5, Suzanne Gibbons-Burgener6, Sara Hallyburton7, Kimberly A Warren8, Alison Keyser Metobo9, Racheal Odom10, Matthew R Groenewold11, Brendan R Jackson1. 1. Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 2. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, Michigan, USA. 3. Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. 4. Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort, Kentucky, USA. 5. Louisiana Department of Health, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. 6. Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. 7. Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. 8. Pennsylvania Department of Health, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA. 9. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. 10. Arkansas Department of Health, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. 11. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati Ohio, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Histoplasmosis is often described as the most common endemic mycosis in the United States, but much remains unknown about its epidemiology among the general population. METHODS: We conducted enhanced surveillance in 9 states during 2018-2019 by identifying cases through routine surveillance and interviewing 301 patients about their clinical features and exposures. RESULTS: Before being tested for histoplasmosis, 60% saw a health care provider ≥3 times, and 53% received antibacterial medication. The median time from seeking health care to diagnosis (range) was 23 (0-269) days. Forty-nine percent were hospitalized, and 69% said that histoplasmosis interfered with their daily activities (median [range], 56 [2-3960] days). Possible exposures included handling plants (48%) and bird or bat droppings (24%); 22% reported no specific exposures. Only 15% had heard of histoplasmosis before their illness. CONCLUSIONS: Histoplasmosis can be severe and prolonged. Additional educational efforts to increase public and provider awareness and reduce delays in diagnosis are needed. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America 2020.
BACKGROUND: Histoplasmosis is often described as the most common endemic mycosis in the United States, but much remains unknown about its epidemiology among the general population. METHODS: We conducted enhanced surveillance in 9 states during 2018-2019 by identifying cases through routine surveillance and interviewing 301 patients about their clinical features and exposures. RESULTS: Before being tested for histoplasmosis, 60% saw a health care provider ≥3 times, and 53% received antibacterial medication. The median time from seeking health care to diagnosis (range) was 23 (0-269) days. Forty-nine percent were hospitalized, and 69% said that histoplasmosis interfered with their daily activities (median [range], 56 [2-3960] days). Possible exposures included handling plants (48%) and bird or bat droppings (24%); 22% reported no specific exposures. Only 15% had heard of histoplasmosis before their illness. CONCLUSIONS: Histoplasmosis can be severe and prolonged. Additional educational efforts to increase public and provider awareness and reduce delays in diagnosis are needed. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America 2020.
Entities:
Keywords:
United States; epidemiology; histoplasmosis
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