Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection. It is caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. It is a type of fungal respiratory infection that primarily affects the lungs, although it can spread to other organs in severe cases. Histoplasma capsulatum is commonly found in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings, and the infection is often acquired by inhaling fungal spores that become airborne during activities such as cleaning bird or bat roosts, demolition of old buildings, or excavation of soil.

Histoplasmosis can present with a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe, or even asymptomatic in some cases. Common symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, fatigue, chills, headache, muscle aches, and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or coughing up blood. In severe cases, histoplasmosis can cause progressive lung disease or disseminated infection, where the fungus can spread to other organs such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow.

Diagnosis of histoplasmosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, medical history, imaging studies (such as chest X-rays or CT scans), and laboratory tests. These tests may include blood tests, sputum or bronchial washings cultures, or histopathological examination of biopsy samples. Fungal culture and identification of Histoplasma capsulatum from clinical specimens is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Our Histoplasmosis Test Package Includes: