HEMATOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF A PATIENT WITH Histoplasma capsulatum INFECTION

Resumo

Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum and is considered an opportunistic infection related to severe immunosuppression in patients with HIV / AIDS. Histoplasmosis is a major cause of death in people living with HIV, even overcoming tuberculosis. Currently, the diagnosis of histoplasmosis is based on signs and symptoms, such as fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and dyspnoea. However, these symptoms are completely nonspecific, since they can occur in other opportunistic diseases such as tuberculosis and cryptococcosis. A definitive diagnosis is based on the isolation and identification of H. capsulatum by culture or by direct visualization of the fungi. The culture is considered the gold standard but it can take four to six weeks for the result. Since this fungus parasites neutrophils in the first 24 hours; proliferating within macrophages and spreading to the host through them, early and accurate diagnosis through analysis of blood extension is essential. Thus, the objective is to elaborate a case report to publicize a clinical case of histoplasma and alert and guide health professionals for diagnosis and assist in the management of the patient who, through early diagnosis, can improve the prognosis and quality of life of positive serum patients with this fungus.