Disease: Pulmonary histoplasmosis

A case report of disseminated histoplasmosis not responding to primary treatment by itraconazole

A 28-year-old woman developed a fungal infection called histoplasmosis after having a tooth extracted, with the infection spreading to her lungs and sinuses. She was initially given a common antifungal medication called itraconazole, but her condition continued to worsen despite increasing the dose. When doctors switched her to a stronger medication called liposomal amphotericin B given intravenously, she improved dramatically and recovered fully. This case shows the importance of recognizing when a standard fungal treatment is not working and switching to more aggressive therapy.

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Mapping Histoplasma spp. in bats and cave ecosystems: evidence from midwestern Brazil

Researchers studied caves in midwestern Brazil and found that a fungal pathogen called Histoplasma, which causes a serious lung disease called histoplasmosis, is present in cave environments and in bats. They developed a quick DNA test to detect this fungus in cave soil samples and bat tissue samples. The study identified specific caves with high levels of the fungus, which could help warn visitors and cave explorers about the risk of infection.

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Mapping Histoplasma spp. in bats and cave ecosystems: evidence from midwestern Brazil

Researchers studied caves in Brazil to find where a fungus called Histoplasma that causes histoplasmosis disease is located. They tested soil from caves and tested bats that live in these caves. They found the fungus in about 20% of cave soil samples and in one-third of the bats tested. Multiple bat species were carriers of the fungus, and researchers even found it in bat brains for the first time.

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A case report of disseminated histoplasmosis not responding to primary treatment by itraconazole

A healthy 28-year-old woman developed a serious fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum after dental surgery. The standard antifungal medication (itraconazole) did not work for her, even at high doses. Doctors successfully treated her with a more powerful antifungal drug called liposomal amphotericin B, which cleared the infection completely. This case shows the importance of adjusting treatment when patients don’t respond to initial therapy.

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A case report of disseminated histoplasmosis not responding to primary treatment by itraconazole

A 28-year-old woman developed a serious fungal infection (histoplasmosis) after dental surgery that was initially misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection. Although she was treated with an antifungal medication called itraconazole, her condition worsened with larger lung lesions appearing. When switched to a stronger intravenous antifungal called liposomal amphotericin B, she rapidly improved and fully recovered, demonstrating the importance of adjusting treatment when patients don’t respond as expected.

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Global, Regional, and National Burden of Pulmonary Fungal Infections 1990–2021

This study analyzed the global impact of fungal lung infections from 1990 to 2021, finding that about 5.6 million people were affected in 2021 with significant mortality rates. The burden of these infections is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries and affects older individuals more severely. The researchers project that deaths from fungal lung infections will double by 2044, emphasizing the need for better prevention strategies, vaccines, and international cooperation to address this growing health challenge.

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Mapping Histoplasma spp. in bats and cave ecosystems: evidence from midwestern Brazil

Researchers found that caves in Brazil harbor a dangerous fungus called Histoplasma that can cause a serious lung disease in humans. The study detected the fungus in soil samples from several caves and in multiple bat species living in those caves. The findings show which caves are most dangerous and emphasize the need for warning signs and protective measures for cave visitors and workers in the region.

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