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Tropical Lung

Histoplasmosis

Paracoccidiodes

Coccidioidomicosis

Microbiology:

The fungus exists in the mycelial form in nature.

Characteristics:

H. capsulatum contains between five to seven chromosomes.

H. capsulatum is classified as a member of the family of Ascomycetes.

The organism has two morphotypes, the mycelial and yeast phases.

The former is present at ambient temperature and the latter at 37° C or higher.

The organism requires vitamins, thiamine, biotin, and iron

Clinical manifestations :

Symptomatic pulmonary histoplasmosis:

Symptoms are usually mild

Fever, chills, headache, myalgias, anorexia, cough, and chest pain generally develop between two and four weeks after exposure but may be seen within one week in more heavily exposed cases.

Physical examination usually is unremarkable except for fever but may reveal rales and evidence of consolidation.