Histoplasma capsulatum endocarditis cured by amphotericin B combined with surgery.
A patient is reported who had Histoplasma capsulatum endocarditis, a rare form of disseminated histoplasmosis. He also had disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and defects in cell-mediated immune responses to Histoplasma antigens. Prompt etiologic diagnosis was made by stain of tissue from a mouth ulcer and confirmed by culture of the organism from blood. An echocardiogram compared to a previous normal echocardiogram indicated changes consistent with a vegetation. Histologic examination of the resected valve demonstrated organisms. Amphotericin B administration (3.4 g) plus an aortic valve replacement resulted in cure.
D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000666:Amphotericin B