Case Report: Cutaneous Histoplasmosis Disseminated in an Immunocompromised Patien

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Histoplasmosis is a frequent systemic mycosis in immunocompromised patients. The clinic is variable and is considered the most common respiratory mycosis worldwide, presenting a higher prevalence in tropical areas including South America. It is estimated that there are forty million patients, calculating two hundred thousand new cases annually. In Ecuador, the epidemiology of the disease is unknown, but it is estimated that 11.1% of patients with AIDS have histoplasmosis. CASE REPORT: Male patient of 23 years old, from Oro - Ecuador, with a history of AIDS diagnosed four years ago, with poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment and pulmonary tuberculosis, is admitted for presenting fever of two weeks evolution, asthenia, productive cough, weight loss, scaly erythematous-violaceous papules spread throughout the integument, with mucosal involvement. The risk factors presented by the patient for histoplasmosis were the lack of compliance with antiretroviral treatment and living in a rural area with exposure to poultry excrement. EVOLUTION: The patient was hospitalized with diagnosis of disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis, AIDS, pulmonary tuberculosis, oral candidiasis and anal herpes. Antiretroviral, antituberculous treatment was continued and Amphotericin-B and itraconazole were started; later the patient was discharged with clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Dermatoses play an important role in the early diagnosis of histoplasmosis. When there are comorbidities associated with the disease, such as AIDS and pulmonary tuberculosis. It is necessary to rethink the treatment, due to the drug interaction that may exist between Itraconazole and Rifampicin. The patient received Amphotericin-B until clinical improvement. For the prevention of opportunistic diseases, a correct adherence to the antiretroviral treatment, avoid the habitat of the fungus as bird or cave farms and before the risk of exposure, the adequate use of a mask.