Research Keyword: Dimorphic fungus

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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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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Photo Quiz: A cutaneous fungal infection with discordant biomarker results—a diagnostic challenge

A woman with advanced HIV infection presented with skin sores and respiratory symptoms that were initially suspected to be a viral infection. Testing revealed she had histoplasmosis, a serious fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum that had spread throughout her body affecting her skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. While standard tests for this fungus were negative, other fungal markers and cultures eventually confirmed the diagnosis, and she was treated with antifungal medications.

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Histoplasma capsulatum prosthetic valve endocarditis treated with oral isavuconazole

A 76-year-old man developed a rare fungal infection on his artificial heart valve caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus found in soil and bird droppings. After surgery to replace the infected valve, he was treated with isavuconazole, an antifungal medication that proved highly effective and better tolerated than traditional treatments. After nine months of therapy, all signs of infection had resolved and his new valve was working properly.

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Histoplasma capsulatum as a cause for prolonged pulmonary illness in an immunocompetent returning traveller from Bangladesh

A 57-year-old man returning from Bangladesh developed a severe lung infection that lasted several weeks and required hospitalization with breathing support. Doctors initially thought he had tuberculosis or bacterial pneumonia, but standard tests came back negative. Advanced fungal testing eventually identified the cause as histoplasmosis, a fungal infection he likely caught while supervising construction work. After treatment with antifungal medications, the patient recovered and was discharged to continue medication at home for a year.

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Photo Quiz: A cutaneous fungal infection with discordant biomarker results—a diagnostic challenge

A woman with advanced HIV disease presented with unusual skin lesions that were initially suspected to be from a virus, but laboratory testing revealed a rare fungal infection called histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The case was challenging because some standard fungal tests came back negative even though the patient had the infection, showing why doctors need to rely on culture and examination under the microscope. She was treated with antifungal medications and her diagnosis highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in severely immunocompromised patients even when initial tests seem negative.

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