Histoplasmosis; acute (primary) pulmonary

Definition:

An infection caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which is found in bird and bat droppings common along river valleys. This results in an acute respiratory illness.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus in the central and eastern U.S., eastern Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Most cases are without symptoms (asymptomatic) or people have a mild flu-like illness and recover uneventfully. Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis may occur in epidemics. Progressive and chronic disease can also occur. Risk factors are travel or residence in the central or eastern U.S. and exposure to the droppings of birds and bats. The incidence is 1 out of 1,000,000 people.