title: Fatal Histoplasma capsulatum mitral endocarditis in a French patient treated for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the inhalation of Histoplasma capsulatum spores, a fungus encountered in many diverse areas around the world. Although this infection is often asymptomatic, it may become dramatic in immunocompromised patients. In November 2005, an endocarditis due to Histoplasma capsulatum was diagnosed in a French woman treated for rheumatoid arthritis and who had traveled to South America 2 years earlier. We confirmed the biological diagnosis by mycological, serological, and histological methods. In spite of receiving the appropriate treatment, the patient died 3 months later of cardiac insufficiency. We report here this additional case of Histoplasma endocarditis, by hoping to help rapid and accurate diagnosis of such infections in their early stages of development, in non-endemic areas.
authors: Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, CHU Brabois, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France.
authors: Lorraine
authors: L
authors: Letranchant
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Debourgogne
authors: Thanh
authors: T
authors: Doco-Lecompte
authors: Nelly
authors: N
authors: Contet-Audonneau
authors: Thierry
authors: T
authors: May
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Machouart
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents