Unilateral optic neuritis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential of Histoplasma capsulatum to cause optic neuritis in the setting of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).


METHODS
We examined a 35-year-old man with a history of AIDS and disseminated histoplasmosis who developed a unilateral progressive optic neuritis of enigmatic origin. An optic nerve sheath biopsy was performed to provide a tissue diagnosis.


RESULTS
Histoplasma capsulatum was identified in both the optic nerve sheath and fungal culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Histoplasma capsulatum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of optic neuritis in patients with AIDS, even in the absence of chorioretinal findings.
Yau
T H
TH
Department of Ophthalmology, Washington Hospital Center, District of Columbia 20010, USA.
Rivera-Velazquez
P M
PM
Mark
A S
AS
Cytryn
A S
AS
Levy
C S
CS
Shmookler
B M
BM
Kolsky
M P
MP
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D010211:Papilledema / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents