Focal lesion of African histoplasmosis presenting as a malignant gastric ulcer.

We describe the case of a localized lesion of African Histoplasmosis, presenting as a gastric ulcer, with radiological and endoscopic features suggesting malignancy, that was submitted to surgery. Histologic examination of the resected specimen revealed typical yeasts of Histoplasma duboisii. There where no clinical, radiological or endoscopic signs of disseminated disease and conventional antifungal therapy was not prescribed. The patient has been followed for 11 years now, without evidence of relapse. There are few reports of gastrointestinal Histoplasmosis, and even fewer specifically caused by H. Duboissii Previous descriptions of gastric ulcer in immunocompetent hosts are related to disseminated forms of American Histoplasmosis. Although focal digestive lesions have been found in African patients, there is no available data on the incidence of gastric ulcer as a presenting sign of the disease.