Clinical and epidemiological characterization of histoplasmosis cases in a nonendemic area, Connecticut, United States. (8th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azar, Marwan M; Zhang, Xuchen; Assi, Roland; Hage, Chadi; Wheat, L Joseph; Malinis, Maricar F
• Is Part Of: Medical mycology. Volume 56:Number 7(2018)
• Page Start: 896
• Page End: 899
• Publication Date: 2017-12-08
• Subjects: histoplasmosis -- nonendemic -- epidemiology -- delay -- travel; Medical mycology -- Periodicals; Veterinary mycology -- Periodicals; Mycology -- Periodicals; Mycoses -- Periodicals; Pathogenic fungi -- Periodicals; 616.969005
• DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-3786

Abstract

Abstract: We performed a retrospective analysis of histoplasmosis cases diagnosed at our institution in New Haven, Connecticut, from 2005 to 2015. Among 12 cases of active histoplasmosis, seven were immunosuppressed and five had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Eleven patients reported travel to potentially endemic areas at a median of 105 days prior to presentation; travel to the Caribbean was most common ( n = 6). Median time to diagnosis from symptom onset and first Histoplasma antigen testing were 41 and 28 days, respectively. Consistent with reports from other non-endemic areas, our findings suggest that the epidemiology of histoplasmosis may differ in Connecticut, potentially contributing to delayed diagnoses.