Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is caused by fungus found in river valleys. In the US, histoplasmosis occurs most often in people living along the Mississippi River, Ohio River, and rivers in the Eastern states. There are two forms: acute and chronic histoplasmosis. Although many people with chronic histoplasmosis have no symptoms, some develop flu-like symptoms with cough, fever, aching muscles, and even chest pain. Sometimes the ensuing histoplasmosis infection causes  pneumonia. In people with a weakened  immune system, histoplasmosis infection may spread to the spleen,  bone marrow, and  gastrointestinal tract.

Histoplasmosis can cause calcification of the lymph nodes and tissue in the center of the chest and surrounding the airways. This can cause strictures of the airways or major blood vessels (calcific mediastinitis or fibrosing mediastinitis).

How is histoplasmosis treated?
Acute histoplasmosis can be effectively treated with an antifungal medication. Chronic histoplasmosis may require surgery to bypass blocked blood vessels, or the calcified lymph nodes may be removed to open the airway.

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