Acute histoplasmosis in three Mexican sewer workers

Abstract

We report the detection of high-titre anti-Histoplasma capsulatum IgM in the serum of three young adult males occupationally exposed to bat guano. Multidrug treatment with trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole was started, followed by ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, metamizole sodium, rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide, moxifloxacin and lastly amphotericin B and ceftriaxone. Despite treatment the condition of one patient deteriorated, and he died 23 days after exposure. The other two patients recovered after receiving similar therapy with the addition of voriconazole. They are currently being treated with itraconazole for a 1-year period.