ABSTRACT

Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease caused by inhalation of Histoplasma capsulatum fungus. The disease does not normally affect immunocompetent individuals after a single, transient inhalation exposure. However, longer exposure may cause chronic or disseminated acute pulmonary infection. In immunocompromised patients, the infection is disseminated and severe. We report the case of a 13-year-old immunocompetent patient, presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea for one month. The chest X-ray and computed tomography scan revealed interstitial infiltrate and diffuse micronodules. The patient reported having had close and prolonged contact with birds. He was submitted to an open lung biopsy and the tissue culture was positive for Histoplasma capsulatum sp. He was treated with amphotericin B for 28 days, followed by treatment with itraconazole for 6 months, and there was complete resolution of the disease.

Keywords: Histoplasmosis, Immunocompetence, Birds.

RESUMO

A histoplasmose é uma doença fúngica causada pela inalação de esporos de Histoplasma capsulatum. A maioria dos indivíduos normais não apresenta doença após pequena inalação, porém exposições mais prolongadas podem levar ao desenvolvimento de infecção pulmonar aguda, crônica ou disseminada. Nos pacientes imunocomprometidos a infecção é disseminada e grave. Relatamos o caso de um paciente de treze anos, imunocompetente, com febre, tosse seca e dispnéia progressiva havia dois meses. O radiograma e a tomografia computadorizada de tórax evidenciavam infiltrado intersticial com micronódulos difusos. O paciente relatava contato intenso com pássaros em sua residência. Foi submetido a biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto, que evidenciou Histoplasma capsulatum em tecido pulmonar. A cultura do fragmento da biópsia confirmou a presença de Histoplasma capsulatum sp. O paciente foi tratado com anfotericina-B por 28 dias, seguida de itraconazol por seis meses, com resolução do quadro.

Palavras-chave: Histoplasmose. Imunocompetente. Pássaros.

THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS LANGUAGE.