histoplasmosis, chronic pulmonary…

Medical experts recommend this detailed explanation.

[ Find Organization | Index Page ]

coccidioidomycosis, chest x-ray, fungus, chronic cavitary histoplasmosis, chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis, chronic respiratory infection, inhaling the spores, the fungus, histoplasma capsulatum, this fungus is commonly found, in the soil in states, along the mississippi, ohio river valleys, the us, histoplasmosis, a fungus found, in the soil, the central, eastern united states, mississippi, ohio river valleys, eastern canada, mexico, central america, south america, primary infection, acute histoplasmosis, causes, no symptoms, mild disease that is overcome, normal immune system, chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis occurs in individuals, structurally abnormal lungs, smokers, emphysema, copd, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in these individuals, acute infection, histoplasmosis lingers, progresses, causing symptoms, chest x-ray findings that mimic pulmonary tuberculosis, many of these infections in these abnormal lung spaces eventually heal, infections persist, causing enlargement of lung spaces, destruction of nearby normal lung tissue, scarring, cavities, a result of this chronic infection, risk factors, travel, residence in central, eastern united states, exposure to soil, particles contaminated, droppings of chickens, bats, blackbirds, preexisting copd, compromised immunity, aids, fever, chills, unintentional weight loss, cough that brings up mucus, pus, shortness of breath, joint stiffness, skin involvement, erythema nodosum, tests that used, in the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis, chest x-ray, chest ct scan, sputum culture, stain, biopsy of infected tissue, open lung biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, bronchoscopy, transbronchial biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage, histoplasma complement fixation titer, histoplasma urinary antigen test, immunodiffusion test, precipitating antibodies to antigens of histoplasma, cbc, antifungal medications, prescribed to control the infection, the lung, itraconazole, by mouth, amphotericin b, intravenously, successful, infection, responds to antifungal medication, the fibrotic, scarring, the lung often remain, prognosis, chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis is favorable, continue to be ill, due to pre-existing emphysematous lung disease, pulmonary histoplasmosis, progress to disseminated histoplasmosis, spread of infection, the blood to other organs, suppressed immune systems, very young children, more likely to develop disseminated histoplasmosis, progression occurs, prognosis is less favorable, disseminated histoplasmosis, respiratory insufficiency, lung scarring, fibrosis, pericarditis, arthritis, symptoms of chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis develop, symptoms continue, breathing difficulty, symptoms of disseminated histoplasmosis occur, avoiding travel to areas where this spore is found would, prevent exposure, not be practical, avoid bird, bat droppings, in one of these areas, immunosuppressed.