title: Challenges in the management of disseminated progressive histoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in resource-limited settings.
abstract: The diagnosis of histoplasmosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus in southern Africa is complicated by the nonspecific presentation of the disease in this patient group and the unavailability of sensitive diagnostics including antigen assays. Treatment options are also limited due to the unavailability of liposomal amphotericin and itraconazole, and the inability to perform therapeutic drug monitoring further confounds management. We present 3 clinical cases to illustrate the limits of diagnosis and management in the southern African context, and we highlight the need for additional diagnostic tools and treatment options in resource-limited settings.
authors.affiliation: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders ; Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases , Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Lilishia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gounder
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases , Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Thandekile C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Manzini
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Pathology , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa.
authors.forename: Pratistadevi K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ramdial
authors.affiliation: New York University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases , Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Mahomed-Yunus S
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Moosa
keywords: AIDS; HIV; developing countries; disseminated progressive histoplasmosis; fluconazole; itraconazole; liposomal amphotericin B; low- and middle-income country; opportunistic infection; resource-limited settings