Cutaneous and Osseous Histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii in a Seemingly Immunocompetent Young Senegalese Woman
Alassane Dièye *
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of Medicine of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Birame Seck
Department of Medicine of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Papa Latyr Junior Diouf
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of Fann, Dakar, Senegal.
Fallou Gallas Niang
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Akim Diakhoumpa
Department of Medicine of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Abibatou Diaw
Department of Medicine of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Ousmane Racine Thiam
Department of Medicine of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Mawo Fall
Department of Medicine of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Doudou Sow
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Mocology Laboratory of Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Moussa Diallo
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Ndéye Méry Dia-Badiane
Health Sciences Training and Research Unit, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal and Department of Medicine of Regional Hospital Center, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
African histoplasmosis is a rare deep mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var duboisii. It can affect various organs such as the skin, lymph nodes, and bones. The diagnosis is often delayed due to its similarity to certain diseases such as tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, pyogenic abscesses, and even neoplasia. We report a case of cutaneous and osseous histoplasmosis caused by H. capsulatum var. duboisii in a seemingly immunocompetent 19-year-old senegalese woman who presented with chronic disseminated cutaneous abscesses, some of which had fistulised, and umbilicated papules on the face. The radiograph of the right forearm showed a metaphyso-diaphyseal osteolytic lesion of the ulna. Histology after biopsy of a facial papule confirmed the diagnosis of histoplasmosis caused by H. capsulatum var duboisii. The patient's condition improved with fluconazole treatment.
Keywords: Histoplasmosis, Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii, Saint-Louis, Senegal