Concurrent human and canine histoplasmosis from cutting decayed wood

Article Abstract:

There are few types of infections that can infect humans and their pets at the same time. A case report is described of a man and his dog with pulmonary infection with the fungal organism Histoplasma capsulatum. The histoplasmal infection resulted in pneumonia in both patients and infiltrations of the lungs were seen on X-ray. Before onset of their illnesses, the patient was cutting down a dead tree with a chain saw in an area endemic for histoplasmosis. The infection occurred as a result of inhalation of fungal spores from the dead wood while the man was being accompanied by his pet. Although the man took his pet to the veterinarian two days after it developed fever and cough, he delayed his own medical care until two weeks after the incident. The dog was given antibiotics, but both patients recovered without specific antifungal medication. Histoplasmosis should be considered when a human and a pet develop pneumonia at the same time. Although the acute illness resembles bacterial pneumonia, most cases occur in men with outdoor interests and in hunting dogs. Decaying wood can harbor the fungus and cutting the wood can aerosolize the spores, causing an illness similar to the one described in this case report. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infection, Causes of, Pneumonia, Dog owners, Airborne infection, Airborne infections

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Clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus; identification of racial and socioeconomic influences

Article Abstract:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of connective tissue affecting the skin, joints, kidneys, nervous system, and mucous membranes. The racial differences in the characteristics of SLE were assessed among 184 black patients and 174 white patients. Race was shown to influence the prevalence of 9 of 24 clinical characteristics of SLE. Antinuclear antibodies, which are abnormal immune proteins that bind and attack the cell nucleus; discoid or disk-like skin lesions; and proteinuria, or the abnormal presence of protein in the urine, were more prevalent among black patients with SLE than white patients with the disease. Blacks were also more likely to have psychosis; serositis, or inflammation of the membranes lining internal cavities; and urinary cellular casts, which are fiber-like material deposited in the urine. Photosensitivity, or increased sensitivity to light, and sicca syndrome, which is characterized by dry eyes, are less common among blacks than whites. The differences in prevalence of kidney failure between blacks and whites are related to socioeconomic factors. The results indicate that racial differences contribute to the variable clinical characteristics of SLE. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Demographic aspects, Health, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Health and race, Ethnic groups, Symptomatology, Signs and symptoms

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Sarcoidlike manifestations of histoplasmosis

Article Abstract:

Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause which affects many body systems. It is characterized by a distinctive type of lesion, noncaseating granuloma. Eleven patients with sarcoidosis have now been found to be infected with the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, the organism responsible for histoplasmosis. Fungal infections such as histoplasmosis are endemic in certain regions of the United States. In addition, other signs and symptoms are shared by sarcoidosis and histoplasmosis, such as enlarged lymph nodes within the chest, changes in blood chemistry marked by elevation in sedimentation rate, and the presence of noncaseating granulomas in some but not all histoplasmosis patients. It is hypothesized that sarcoidosis may be an unusual immune reaction to an underlying infection with Histoplasma capsulatum. Although treatment with the antifungal drug amphotericin B was unsuccessful, corticosteroids were effective. Prospective studies are required to determine the exact nature of the relationship between sarcoidosis and histoplasmosis. This study suggests that active histoplasmosis must be investigated in sarcoidosis patients who live in areas which are endemic for histoplasmosis.

Evaluation, Corticosteroids, Adrenocortical hormones, Sarcoidosis, Amphotericin B, Systemic mycoses

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