[Disseminated histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum in a renal transplant patient: first case report in the Reunion Island]

Med Trop (Mars). 2010 Aug;70(4):391-4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to describe the first case of indigenous disseminated histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum in a patient on immunosuppression 22 months after renal transplantation in the Reunion Island. Involvement was predominantly pulmonary and outcome was rapidly fatal. Diagnosis based on isolation of characteristic intramacrophagic Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells from bronchoalveolar fluid was delayed since indigenous cases of this opportunistic infection were unprecedented. In addition to demonstrating the difficulty of achieving diagnosis in places located outside endemic areas without modern facilities, this case underlines the potentially the poor prognosis of disseminated histoplasmosis. This disease should be included in differential diagnosis in the Reunion Island where many patients undergo immunosuppresion and receive organs shipped in from outside locations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / microbiology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Histoplasma
  • Histoplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Reunion