Autochthonous Case of Pulmonary Histoplasmosis, Switzerland

Abstract

In Europe, pulmonary histoplasmosis is rarely diagnosed except in travelers. We report a probable autochthonous case of severe chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent man in Switzerland without travel history outside of Europe. Diagnosis was achieved by histopathology, fungal culture, and serology, but the source of the infection remains speculative.

Keywords: Histoplasma capsulatum; Switzerland; fungi; histoplasmosis; pulmonary histoplasmosis; respiratory infections.

Figure

Chest computed tomography (CT) images at the level of the upper third and the lower third of the lung in a patient with pulmonary histoplasmosis, Switzerland. A, B) Initial CT shows diffuse reticulonodular pattern with ground glass opacifications, predominantly located in the upper two thirds of the lungs, and several areas with reverse halo signs (red arrows). C, D) Follow-up CT scan exhibited reduced ground-glass opacities and a regression of the micronodules. The reversed halos showed complete regression. CT, computed tomography.