Histoplasma capsulatum is a fungus that colonizes the GI tract of birds and contaminates the soil via bird and bat droppings.
Endemic regions: Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. Typical pet birds such as canaries and parrots are not susceptible, but doves and pigeons may become colonized.
Humans commonly acquire the organism by inhalation of disrupted soil. Humans to humans transmission has not been reported.
In more than 90% of cases, the primary infection is minimally symptomatic. Disseminated disease generally occurs in immunocompromised patients and presents with fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia.
Diagnosis: Serologic testing, culture.
Treatment: Disease is often self-limited. If trt is needed: itraconazole, Ketoconazole.
For immunosuppressed or severe, disseminated illness: Amphotericin B
