Medical Encyclopedia

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Histoplasmosis - chronic pulmonary

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Coccidioidomycosis - chest X-ray
Coccidioidomycosis - chest X-ray
Fungus
Fungus

Alternative Names    Return to top

Chronic cavitary histoplasmosis

Definition    Return to top

Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis is a long-term respiratory infection caused by breathing the spores of the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum.

See also:

Causes    Return to top

Histoplasma capsulatum is a fungus found in the soil of the central and eastern United States (especially Mississippi and Ohio river valleys), eastern Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America.

The infection occurs when a person breathes in the reproducing parts of the fungus, called spores. Those who have a healthy immune system usually do not have symptoms, or only mild ones.

This "acute" infection does not last, but can leave a person with small scars (granulomas). These scars are sometimes difficult to distinguish from growths in the lung.

However, the infection can cause severe illness right away, or redevelop years after the first exposure, if a person's immune system is weakened by:

Risk factors for chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis include:

Symptoms    Return to top

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Tests that may be used to diagnose chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis include:

Treatment    Return to top

The doctor will prescribe antifungal medications to control the infection within the lung.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

The infection usually goes away with antifungal medication, but scarring inside the lung often remains. Histoplasmosis is unusual enough that if you develop it, your health care provider should check to find out whether another disease is weakening your immune system.

Often, those who have had chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis must follow up with their doctor, who will check for signs of relapse.

In rare cases, a pulmonary histoplasmosis infection can spread through the blood to other organs. This is called disseminated histoplasmosis. People who have a suppressed immune system and very young children are more likely to develop this condition. If this occurs, the prognosis is less favorable.

Possible Complications    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis.

Call your health care provider if your symptoms continue despite treatment, or if you have breathing difficulty or symptoms of disseminated histoplasmosis.

Prevention    Return to top

Be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are in a weakened state from another medical condition, or from immune-suppressing medications.

References    Return to top

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007.

Update Date: 11/12/2007

Updated by: Andrew Schriber, M.D., F.C.C.P., Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.