A type of fungal infection, histoplasmosis stems from an infection with Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus. Histoplasma capsulatum causes histoplasmosis in the human body because the fungus grows as yeast when it inhabits an environment of 37 degrees Celsius.http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC1021.HTM Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month: Histoplasma capsulatum, cause of... (January 2000)
United States Statistics and Information
- Considered an endemic infectionAmerican Family Physician: Overview of Histoplasmosis (December 15, 2002)
- Infects around 250,000 people each yearhttp://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC1021.HTM
- Occurs in less than 5% of populationhttp://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC1021.HTM
FDA Warning
The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has issued a warning in regards to reports of histoplasmosis in patients being treated with tumor necrosis factor blockers, such as Enbrel, Cimzia, Remicade and Humira.WebMD: Deaths Heighten Arthritis Drugs Warning (September 4, 2008)
Disclaimer
The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a physician for information on histoplasmosis.
Histoplasmosis Prevention and Precautions
- CDC: Histoplasmosis — Protecting Workers at Risk (December 2004)
References
Fast Facts
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Alternate names
Darling's disease, Ohio River Valley fever
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More often seen in men than womenhttp://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC1021.HTM
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