Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease. Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus . The histoplasmosis fungus is found throughout the world. The fungus grows naturally in soil in some areas of the United States, mostly in the midwestern and southeastern states and along the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. It thrives in soil that is enriched with bat or bird droppings.The infection sometimes can spread to other parts of the body. Occasionally, other organs are affected. This form of the disease is called disseminated histoplasmosis, and it can be fatal if untreated. This Histoplasma organism thrives in moderate temperatures and moist environments. Droppings from chickens, pigeons, starlings, blackbirds, and bats support its growth. Birds are not infected with it because of their high body temperatures, but they do carry it on their feathers. Bats can be infected because they have a lower body temperature than birds and can excrete the organism in their droppings. To multiply, Histoplasma capsulatum produces small spores called conidia. The conidia of Histoplasma capsulatum are only two millionths of a meter in diameter. When these conidia are inhaled, they are small enough that they enter the lungs and start an infection. Many of these infections are easily overlooked because they either produce mild symptoms or none at all. However, histoplasmosis can be severe and produce an illness similar to tuberculosis.
Chronic lung disease due to histoplasmosis resembles tuberculosis and can worsen over months or years. Special antifungal medications are needed to arrest the disease Histoplasmosis is not contagious; it cannot be transmitted from an infected person or animal to someone else.Vision is also impaired when these abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and blood into the macula. If these abnormal blood vessels grow toward the center of the macula, they may affect a tiny depression called the fovea . The fovea is the region of the retina with the highest concentration of special retinal nerve cells, called cones , that produce sharp, daytime vision. Damage to the fovea and the cones can severely impair, and even destroy, this straight-ahead vision. Early treatment of OHS is essential; if the abnormal blood vessels have affected the fovea, controlling the disease will be more difficult. Since OHS rarely affects side, or peripheral vision, the disease does not cause total blindness.Histoplasmosis is spread through the air. The disease is not spread from person to person.
Causes of Histoplasmosis
Common causes of Histoplasmosis
- Soil.
- Material contaminated.
- Breathing the spores.
- Bird droppings.
- Poultry house litter.
- Caves.
Symptoms of Histoplasmosis
Common symptoms of Histoplasmosis
- Ill feeling.
- Fever.
- Chest pains.
- Non productive cough.
- Chills.
- Sores in the mouth.
- Headache.
- Neck stiffness.
- Rashes.
Treatment of Histoplasmosis
Common Treatment of Histoplasmosis
- Antifungal medications are used to treat severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease.
- The only proven treatment for ocular histoplasmosis syndrome is a form of laser surgery called photocoagulation
- Persons working in contaminated areas should use protective clothing such as gloves and coveralls.
- Long term maintenance therapy is usually needed in ocular histoplasmosis syndrome
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