Histoplasmosis in a Brazilian center: clinical forms and laboratory tests.

摘要: Histoplasmosis, caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, is endemic in many regions of Americas, Asia and Africa. It has a wide spectrum clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic infection to severe disseminated disease. A retrospective study was carried out describe forms assess significance laboratory diagnostic tests patients with histoplasmosis during period July 1987 December 2003 at Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas/ FIOCRUZ, RJ, Brazil. Seventy-four were included. Forty-nine percent cases (n = 36) occurred HIV positive who presented The remaining 38 classified different forms. capsulatum isolated 69.5% specimens sent culture. Immunodiffusion immunoblot 72.6% 100% performed tests, respectively. Histopathologic findings suggestive H. found 63.2% exams. Serology had lower proportion positivity amongst AIDS patients, when compared negative (X2 6.65; p than 0.008). Statistical differences between non-AIDS not observed culture histopathology. specific role each test varies according form. Physicians need know value limitations available but before that, they have think about consider this entity their differential diagnosis.