Presumptive Histoplasmosis Presenting as Cerebellar Ataxia With Spontaneous Recovery

Abstract

There have been relatively few reported cases of histoplasmosis of the central nervous system in children and no reported survivors without therapy.1-5 Most reported cases involving the central nervous system in children are described at postmortem examination.1,2 Involvement of extrapulmonic organ systems with Histoplasma capsulatum without a prominent preceding or concomitant pulmonic infection occurs occasionally. The reported neurological signs and symptoms of histoplasmosis of the central nervous system in children are: vomiting, irritability, opisthotonos, clonus of extremities, Babinski sign, progressive weakness of extremities, deterioration of vision, ptosis, weakness of facial muscles, bladder and anal atony, bilateral spastic hemiparesis, delayed motor development, and coma.1-5