Localized oral histoplasmosis: report of one case

Abstract

Histoplasmosis is an endemic deep mycosis produced by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus. It penetrates into the organism by inhalation and spreads by lymphatic or hematic route. We report a 57-year-old immunocompetent male presenting with an enlargement of the tongue that also exhibited white pseudomembranes. There were also nodular lesions in the dorsum of the tongue, separated by deep grooves. The pathological study revealed a chronic inflammatory process with granulomas. The microbiological examination with the Giemsa technique showed multiple yeasts of 4-5 mm of diameter with a clear halo inside macrophages and epithelial cells, compatible with the parasitic phase of Histoplasma capsulatum. Serology was positive for the histoplasmine antigen. The patient was treated with Itraconazole 200 mg/day, experiencing 40% remission of lesions during the first month of treatment.