Disseminated Histoplasma capsulatum infection

Disseminated *Histoplasma capsulatum* infection is a severe, life-threatening systemic fungal disease caused by the hematogenous spread of the dimorphic fungus *Histoplasma capsulatum* beyond the pulmonary system It primarily affects individuals with impaired cell-mediated immunity—such as persons with HIV/AIDS, solid organ transplant recipients, or those receiving immunosuppressive therapies—as well as infants and older adults Pathophysiologically, inhaled microconidia convert into intracellula...

Disseminated *Histoplasma capsulatum* infection is a severe, life-threatening systemic fungal disease caused by the hematogenous spread of the dimorphic fungus *Histoplasma capsulatum* beyond the pulmonary system Defining clinical features include persistent fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia from bone marrow infiltration, and potential multiorgan involvement including mucosal ulcers, adrenal insufficiency, or central nervous system lesions

It primarily affects individuals with impaired cell-mediated immunity—such as persons with HIV/AIDS, solid organ transplant recipients, or those receiving immunosuppressive therapies—as well as infants and older adults Pathophysiologically, inhaled microconidia convert into intracellular yeasts that evade phagolysosomal destruction within macrophages and disseminate through the reticuloendothelial system

Defining clinical features include persistent fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia from bone marrow infiltration, and potential multiorgan involvement including mucosal ulcers, adrenal insufficiency, or central nervous system lesions