Disseminated histoplasmosis in a non-immunocompromised host.

Abstract

Histoplasma infections in Europe are rare, and acute disseminated histoplasmosis has only been observed in immunocompromised persons. We describe a case of acute disseminated histoplasmosis in a young, nonimmunocompromised European woman. The probable source of infection was Sri Lanka or the Maldives. At presentation she was severely ill with fever, lymphadenopathy, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and polyserositis. Histologically, myelofibrosis and osteosclerosis were observed with extramedullary hematopoiesis. Histoplasma capsulatum yeasts were detected in bone marrow trephine biopsy by methenamine silver staining. Treatment with conventional and liposomal amphotericin B and subsequent itraconazole led to rapid and complete recovery.