Oral histoplasmosis as a presenting disease in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections of the oral mucosa: Types, incidence, predisposing factors, diagnostic algorithms, and management

For millions of years, microbiota residing within us, including those in the oral cavity, coexisted in a harmonious symbiotic fashion that provided a quintessential foundation for human health. It is now clear that disruption of such a healthy relationship leading to microbial dysbiosis causes a wide array of infections, ranging from localized, mild, superficial infections to deep, disseminated life-threatening diseases. With recent advances in research, diagnostics, and improved surveillance we are witnessing an array of emerging and re-emerging oral infections and orofacial manifestations of systemic infections. Orofacial infections may cause significant discomfort to the patients and unnecessary economic burden. Thus, the early recognition of such infections is paramount for holistic patient management, and oral clinicians have a critical role in recognizing, diagnosing, managing, and preventing either new or old orofacial infections. This paper aims to provide an update on current understanding of well-established and emerging viral, bacterial, and fungal infections manifesting in the human oral cavity.

Chapter 6 Non-Squamous Cell Causes of Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common indication for imaging evaluation of the neck. Besides metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, cervical lymphadenopathy can be due to many causes, with simple reactive lymphadenopathy on one end of the spectrum and malignant lymphadenopathy due to a distant infraclavicular primary, on the other end. A systematic approach to the cause of cervical lymphadenopathy, which includes pattern of lymph node enlargement, lymph node characteristics, systemic symptoms, and extranodal abnormalities, can be very useful in arriving at the correct diagnosis. In this article, various patterns of cervical lymphadenopathy due to non-squamous cell causes are discussed.

Photoletter to the editor: Disseminated histoplasmosis with initial oral manifestations

Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal disease that may present in a variety of clinical manifestations. Involvment of the oral mucosa is very rare and may occur as part of disseminated histoplasmosis or as isolated involvement. We present a patient with disseminated histoplasmosis, in whom oral lesions were the initial manifestation of the disease.

Oral histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal disease that takes various clinical forms, among which oral lesions are rare. The disseminated form of the disease that usually occurs in association with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the AIDS-defining diseases. Isolated oral histoplasmosis, without systemic involvement, with underlying immunosuppression due to AIDS is very rare. We report one such case of isolated oral histoplasmosis in a HIV-infected patient.

[Histoplasmosis of the oral cavity]

Histoplasmosis is an endemic mycosis. Histoplasma capsulatum, and duboisiï are the pathogenic agents in humans. The disease is reported as endemic in more than 30 countries. Three clinical forms are distinguished; acute, chronic and disseminated. Oral lesions may take on different clinical aspects which are often associated with disseminated histoplasmosis. Disseminated histoplasmosis is frequently diagnosed in immunocompromised hosts. High risk of mortality dictates rapid diagnosis and treatment.

A case of primary cutaneous histoplasmosis in a patient with diabetes and multi-infarct dementia

We report a case of primary cutaneous histoplasmosis in a fifty-year-old African-American woman with diabetes and multi-infarct dementia. The patient developed fever and crusted, nodulo-ulcerative lesions of the skin after accidental superficial trauma to the forehead. The biopsy revealed suppurative granulomatous inflammation with intracellular and extracellular yeast-like cells with associated clear halo measuring 3-4 mm in size. Systemic involvement was not found. The lesions cleared after treatment with itraconazole 200 mg twice a day for 3 weeks. The medication was continued for a total period of 3 months, with no signs of recurrence after one-year of follow-up.

Oral histoplasmosis in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

We report 10 cases of histoplasmosis with oral manifestations seen in a teaching hospital in Brazil.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective study of the sociodemographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment data of these cases.

RESULTS

Overall, 8 of 10 cases were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), whereas 2 were negative. The predominant oral manifestations found in HIV-seropositive patients were ulcers, oral pain, and odynophagia; both of the HIV-seronegative patients were symptom-free. HIV infection was suspected in 7 cases because of the presence of oral lesions of histoplasmosis. Asthenia, fever, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly were found only in HIV-seropositive patients. Radiographs in 3 out of 10 patients suggested pulmonary involvement. Amphotericin B was the antifungal therapy chosen, and clinical remission of oral lesions occurred in an average of 30 days (accumulated doses: 500-1500 mg). Itraconazole was very effective as a follow-up treatment in terms of prevention of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Histoplasmosis only rarely affects HIV-seronegative patients; however, the possibility of hidden immunodepression should be considered when oral manifestations of histoplasmosis are present.

Oral histoplasmosis as an indicator of HIV infection

Histoplasmosis as a serious opportunistic infection in association with AIDS has assumed considerable importance. We have gathered 20 case reports from the literature of oral histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients. In some cases, oral lesions appear to be the primary or only manifestation of disease. We report one such case of oral histoplasmosis in a bisexual man who was seen with ulcerations on the palate and proved to be infected by HIV.

Rapid progression of bone loss in HIV-associated necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis

This report describes a case of rapidly progressive periodontal tissue breakdown and bone loss in an HIV-infected markedly immunosuppressed homosexual male. Within 6 months of initial presentation with a necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, the lesion extended to a necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis involving the surrounding periodontium and palatal mucosa. With only partial compliance to local debridement, chlorhexidine oral rinses, and systemic metronidazole therapy, alveolar bone loss resulted in tooth mobility necessitating extraction of 2 involved teeth. This case illustrates the continuum of necrotizing ulcerative infections of the periodontium in the severely immunosuppressed patient. The implications of these oral manifestations of HIV infection are discussed.

Disseminated histoplasmosis with orofacial involvement in HIV-I-infected patients with AIDS: manifestations and treatment

INTRODUCTION

Histoplasmosis is a deep mycosis which is increasingly seen in HIV disease. It has emerged as a relatively common infection in Argentina, mainly in HIV-infected and other immunocompromised persons, and is often disseminated (DH).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe 32 HIV-I-seropositive patients with AIDS who had DH, 21 of whom presented orofacial manifestations, and their treatment.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of 876 HIV-seropositive patients revealed 32 with a clinical diagnosis of DH confirmed by special stains on histopathologic specimens, or by culture.

RESULTS

Thirty-two HIV-infected patients had DH. Two-thirds (21 patients) had oral lesions of histoplasmosis, of which six presented with oral cavity (OC) lesions as the sole orofacial manifestation of disease, nine patients presented oral and facial (OF) lesions and six presented facial lesions only. A unique case of submandibular histoplasmosis is also reported. Antifungal therapy cleared more than 90% of the orofacial and disseminated lesions of histoplasmosis. Over the 7-year period there was a mortality of 85%.

CONCLUSION

DH should be considered as a possible diagnosis in HIV patients with chronic ulcerative or nodular orofacial or oral lesions. Itraconazole is an effective and acceptable therapy.

Localised oral histoplasmosis lesions associated with HIV infection

Opportunistic fungal infections account for a significant amount of morbidity associated with HIV disease. We report here a case of localised oral histoplasmosis without evidence of disseminated disease in a patient who lacked stigmata of HIV disease at the time of initial presentation. The diagnosis is based on histology with special stains, complement fixing antibodies in serum, and culture of the organism from fresh tissues. Activation of subclinical disease following an infection in Uganda may explain the development of these exophytic oral lesions in this British resident.

Oral and esophageal disorders

This article focused on the approach to oral and esophageal disorders in patients with AIDS. Most of these disorders respond to various therapeutic regimens. Some of the oral complications can be prevented with dental prophylaxis, whereas recurrent esophageal disease in some patients may require long-term suppressive therapy. As patients with AIDS live longer with lower CD4 counts, gastroenterologists need to become familiar with the approach to and management of the more common lesions of the mouth and esophagus.

The deep mycoses in HIV infection

The deep mycoses are uncommon infections, usually acquired from the inhalation or ingestion of fungal spores, sometimes from the soil in areas of endemicity, such as in the Americas and south-east Asia, or from decaying vegetable matter. They are also seen in immunocompromised persons and, increasingly, in HIV-infected persons. Respiratory involvement is frequent, with granuloma formation, and mucocutaneous involvement may be seen. Oral lesions of the deep mycoses are typically chronic but non-specific, though nodular or ulcerative appearances are common. Person-to-person transmission is rare. In HIV disease, the most common orofacial involvement of deep mycoses has been in histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, aspergillosis and zygomycosis. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by lesional biopsy although culture may also be valuable. Treatment is with amphotericin or an azole.

Oral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection

This article includes the oral manifestations which have been reported to be associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The clinical appearance, diagnostic criteria and treatment of fungal, viral and bacterial infections, neoplasms and lesions of uncertain etiology are described. Accurate diagnosis of the oral lesions is important in the management of patients infected with HIV. Identification of oral lesions may suggest the need for HIV testing or may be an indicator for preventive intervention. Early identification, diagnosis and treatment may prevent extensive tissue destruction and may improve the quality of life for HIV-infected patients.

Mucocutaneous histoplasmosis in AIDS

A 36-year-old man, who was an intravenous drug abuser, developed thoracic herpes zoster, paronychia, oral candidosis, necrotizing gingivitis and bilateral parotid salivary gland swelling. Granulomatous oral lesions and ulceration on the nose were shown to be due to disseminated histoplasmosis.

Oral histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients. A report of two cases

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by the organism Histoplasma capsulatum. Disseminated disease usually occurs in immunosuppressed patients or in patients with chronic illnesses. Although relatively uncommon, histoplasmosis has been reported in patients with AIDS, and oral lesions have been noted on multiple sites and in various clinical presentations. We present two HIV-positive cases with oral lesions as the initial signs of histoplasmosis. Both patients responded well to IV amphotericin B but later suffered recurrences despite being maintained on systemic antifungal therapy.

Oral histoplasmosis in a patient infected with HIV. A case report

Histoplasmosis is a frequent complication of HIV infection and is usually the result of reactivation. In the immunocompromised host, histoplasmosis may cause a chronic pulmonary infection or disseminated disease. In the setting of disseminated disease, oral lesions are present in 30% to 50% of patients and may occur in almost every part of the oral mucosa. The most common sites are the tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa. In some cases, oral lesions appear to be the primary or only manifestation of disease. We have been able to find only five case reports in the literature of histoplasmosis in HIV infection with oral lesions. In two of the cases, histoplasmosis was apparently localized to the oral cavity, whereas two cases also had evidence of disseminated disease, the fifth was undetermined. We report one such case of apparently localized oral histoplasmosis in a patient with HIV infection.

Oral manifestations in HIV-infected patients: diagnosis and management

Oral lesions have been observed since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. The number of HIV-infected patients is still increasing, especially in the heterosexual population. Oral diseases in HIV-infected patients are often more difficult to diagnose because the clinical presentations may differ from the same diseases in HIV-negative patients. HIV-associated oral lesions have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic impact. Approximately 10% of the HIV-infected population will have oral manifestations as a first sign of their disease. In HIV-infected men oral hairy leukoplakia and oral candidiasis are useful markers for disease progression. This article summarizes the oral manifestations and the management of oral health in persons with HIV infection.

The simultaneous occurrence of oral herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and histoplasmosis in an HIV-infected patient

Numerous publications have reviewed the oral manifestations of HIV infection and AIDS. Although uncommon, herpetic infections and histoplasmosis are among the diseases reported. The case that follows presents the first description of the simultaneous occurrence of oral herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and histoplasmosis in an HIV-infected person. These infections appeared as extensive oral ulcerations and were the only clinical manifestation of HIV infection. Eleven months after the initial presentation, the patient died of complications of AIDS.

Orofacial manifestations of the systemic mycoses

Aspergillosis, cryptococcosis and zygomycosis (mucormycosis) are overall the most common systemic mycoses but histoplasmosis is particularly endemic in parts of central USA and other areas worldwide. Orofacial lesions caused by systemic mycoses have rarely been reported in the past though they have been recorded particularly in outdoor workers from geographic areas with a high prevalence of infection and occasionally in immunocompromised individuals. Increasing world-wide travel, and the dramatic increase in numbers of immunocompromised persons, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, have been responsible for an increase in reports and other studies of orofacial disease in systemic mycoses and new opportunists are now being recognized. Those in Oral Medicine and Pathology must now be aware of the possibility of a systemic mycosis as the cause of chronic oral ulceration, chronic maxillary sinus infection, or bizarre mouth lesions, especially in patients with HIV disease, lymphoproliferative disorders, or diabetes mellitus, or in those who have been in endemic areas. Diagnosis and management should be undertaken in consultation with a physician with appropriate expertise, as pulmonary and other systemic infection may well be present. This paper reviews the eight main systemic mycoses.

HIV-related infections of the oral cavity

Oral infections are among the first manifestations of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They include fungal, viral, and bacterial infections and range from being essentially trivial, through troublesome to life threatening. Although some infections are due to overproliferation of the normal oral flora, others are due to organisms that normally are not found in the mouth. The clinical features of many of these infections have now been characterized, and clinical trials have indicated the optimal management. However, for many infections, the underlying processes are still not clear, and improvements in treatment are necessary.

Oral Histoplasma capsulatum infection in association with HIV infection: a case report

The fungus Histoplasma capsulatum causes histoplasmosis, the most common endemic respiratory mycosis in the United States. Disseminated histoplasmosis in adults is often associated with immunosuppression, such as occurs in HIV infection. We report a case of oral histoplasmosis in an HIV-seropositive patient who presented with an ulceration on the left tip of the tongue, extending to the floor of the mouth, but was otherwise free of any active systemic disease. Histoplasma capsulatum was shown, by both histopathology and staining with a fluorescent antibody reagent specific for the organism, to be present in the lesion and was deduced to be the causative organism.