[Colonic histoplasmosis as a diagnostic manifestation of AIDS]

Abstract

We report the case of 48 year old female patient without a history of significance importance.(refuses blood transfusion). She complaint of diarrhea of four months of duration and weight loss of 8 kg. she added episodes of hematochezia and severe anemia requiring transfusion. An intrahemorrhagic colonoscopy was performed detecting three ulcerated lesions. First at 10 cm from the anus, one in transverse colon distal, another similar ulcer in the proximal transverse The biopsies showed ulcer granulation tissue, abundant macrophages with intracytoplasmic structures consistent with histoplasmosis. Tests showed no tuberculosis or intestinal parasitosis. HIV testing (ELISA and Western Blot) were positive. The CD4 (78 cells) and extrapulmonary histoplasmosis were the criteria defined stage AIDS. The extrapulmonary histoplasmosis defines stage IV in immunosuppressed patients with HIV. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding colonic ulcer secondary to Histoplasma is a rare form presentation as a diagnostic manifestation of AIDS.