Background: Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease with a worldwide distribution. Travelers returning from endemic areas with a history of exposure to fungal spores have a high risk of infection. Methods: We report four cases of acute pulmonary disease in Italian spelunkers returning from Mato Grosso, Peru. Results: Symptoms and radiologic findings were consistent with acute pulmonary illness. Laboratory data supported the hypothesis of histoplasmosis. Conclusions: Histoplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in travelers returning from endemic areas, who report a risk of exposure, and present with respiratory illness. In this setting, seroconversion may be considered diagnostic of pulmonary histoplasmosis.
Background: Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease with a worldwide distribution. Travelers returning from endemic areas with a history of exposure to fungal spores have a high risk of infection. Methods: We report four cases of acute pulmonary disease in Italian spelunkers returning from Mato Grosso, Peru. Results: Symptoms and radiologic findings were consistent with acute pulmonary illness. Laboratory data supported the hypothesis of histoplasmosis. Conclusions: Histoplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in travelers returning from endemic areas, who report a risk of exposure, and present with respiratory illness. In this setting, seroconversion may be considered diagnostic of pulmonary histoplasmosis.
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: Michelle Weinberg; Julia Weeks; Susan Lance-Parker; Marc Traeger; Steven Wiersma; Quyen Phan; David Dennison; Pia MacDonald; Mark Lindsley; Jeannette Guarner; Patricia Connolly; Martin Cetron; Rana Hajjeh Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2003-10 Impact factor: 6.883