Pilot histoplasmosis survey in Delhi area

Histoplasmosis: An Emerging or Neglected Disease in Bangladesh? A Systematic Review

Histoplasmosis is uncommon in many parts of the world, including Bangladesh, where, in recent years, cases are increasingly reported. We sought to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentation, investigations, treatment, and outcome of histoplasmosis in Bangladesh. We conducted a retrospective data review of published literature from 1962 to 2017, containing information on histoplasmosis in and/or from Bangladesh. Unpublished, well-documented histoplasmosis cases were also included. A total of 26 male patients aged 8–75 years, with a diagnosis of histoplasmosis were included; nine were farmers, seven had diabetes, one was a renal transplant recipient, and four had HIV/AIDS. Fever (n = 20), weight loss (n = 17), anemia (n = 15), lymphadenopathy (n = 9), and hepatosplenomegaly (n = 7) were common. Eleven patients had bilateral adrenal enlargement. Diagnosis was confirmed by histo/cytopathology from skin (n = 1), oropharyngeal ulcers (n = 8), lymph nodes (n = 3), adrenal glands (n = 11), paravertebral soft tissue (n = 2), and bone marrow (n = 4). Cultures of representative samples and antibodies were detected in three and two cases, respectively. Twenty-two patients had disseminated histoplasmosis and four patients had localized oropharyngeal disease. Nine patients were prescribed anti-tuberculosis drugs empirically before establishing the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. Treatment consisted of amphotericin B and itraconazole. Six patients died in hospital, 14 patients recovered with relapse in two cases, and the outcome of the other patients could not be ascertained. Histoplasmosis is thought to be endemic in Bangladesh, but few cases are reported to date, which may be due to many asymptomatic, undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or under-reported cases. Histoplasmosis should be considered as a differential in appropriate clinical scenarios.

A Twenty-First-Century Perspective of Disseminated Histoplasmosis in India: Literature Review and Retrospective Analysis of Published and Unpublished Cases at a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

PURPOSE

Published literature lacks systematic studies on disseminated histoplasmosis in India, and previous reviews on its epidemiology in India were conducted two decades back. Thus, we review the Indian studies published in this century to understand the recent epidemiology of histoplasmosis in India and do a retrospective analysis of all cases diagnosed at our institute.

METHODS

A literature of review search was done in Pubmed/Medline and Scopus. Studies published during January 2001-December 2015 were considered along with retrospective analysis of cases presented to us. A distinction was made in the clinical presentation of immunocompetent and immunocompromised cases.

RESULTS

Ninety-five included studies described 204 cases, and 10 cases from our retrospective analysis were included. The mean age at presentation was 45.1 ± 15.4 years [range 3-83, median 45, interquartile range 37-55], and male-to-female ratio was 6:1. Most cases were reported from northern and northeastern states of India along the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Brahmaputra and in people associated with agricultural activity. About 33% of cases were immunocompromised, out of which immunosuppression due to HIV was seen in 72% cases. The mean age of presentation was significantly lower in immunocompromised cases (37.9 vs. 49.2 years; p < 0.00001, Mann-Whitney test), and mortality was also higher (10 vs. 27.5%, p = 0.01, Fisher's exact test). Adrenal involvement was in significantly higher proportion of immunocompetent patients compared to immunocompromised population.

CONCLUSIONS

Disseminated histoplasmosis is being increasingly recognized in India. There is a need to undertake well-designed, analytical studies utilizing appropriate diagnostic modalities to understand the epidemiology of this neglected disease in proper perspective.

An Unusual Presentation of Disseminated Histoplasmosis: Case Report and Review of Pediatric Immunocompetent Patients from India

Histoplasmosis is a progressive disease caused by dimorphic intracellular fungi and can prove fatal. Usually, it is present in immunocompromised individuals and immunocompetent individuals in the endemic zones. We report an unusual presentation of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis. The patient in the present case report was immunocompetent child and had fever, bone pains, gradual weight loss, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) was diagnosed on microscopic examination and fungal culture of bone marrow, blood, skin biopsy and lymph node aspirate. The patient died on seventh day of amphotericin B. In the absence of predisposing factors and classical clinical presentation of febrile neutropenia, lung, adrenal and oropharyngeal lesions, the disease posed a diagnostic challenge. Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in children can be fatal despite timely diagnosis and therapy. In India, disseminated histoplasmosis is seen in immunocompetent hosts. All the pediatrics immunocompetent cases from India are also reviewed.