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Volume 21, Number 6—June 2015

Letter

Histoplasmosis in Idaho and Montana, USA, 2012–2013

Randall J. NettComments to Author , Donald Skillman, Laurel Riek, Brian Davis, Sky R. Blue, Elizabeth E. Sundberg, Joel R. Merriman, Christine G. Hahn, and Benjamin Park
Author affiliations: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena, Montana, USA (R.J. Nett, J.R. Merriman); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (R.J. Nett, B.J. Park); St. Peter’s Medical Group, Helena (D. Skillman); Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department, Helena (L. Riek); Billings Clinic, Billings, Montana (B. Davis); Sawtooth Infectious Diseases, Boise, Idaho, USA (S.R. Blue); Holy Rosary Healthcare, Miles City, Montana (E.E. Sundberg); Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Boise (C.G. Hahn)

Main Article

Table

Characteristics of 6 persons with histoplasmosis, Idaho and Montana, USA, 2012–2013*

Characteristic Value
Sex
M 3 (50)
F
 3 (50)
Median age, y (range)
 68 (17–79)
Location of residence
Idaho, southwestern 1 (17)
Montana
Eastern 2 (33)
Southwestern
 3 (50)
Immunocompromising condition, n = 5†
Diabetes mellitus, type 2 3 (50)
Hepatitis C 1 (17)
Previous history of breast cancer 1 (17)
Acute mononucleosis 1 (17)
Previous history of colon cancer
 1 (17)
Hospitalization 3 (50)
Death
 1 (17)
Tests with positive results that contributed to histoplasmosis diagnosis
Culture 2 (33)
Histopathology‡ 2 (33)
Urine enzyme immunoassay‡ 2 (33)
Diagnosis delayed >6 mo
 3 (50)
At-risk activities
Using potting soil containing bat guano 1 (17)
Exploring caves 1 (17)
Mowing grass in pasture 1 (17)
Cleaning pigeon cages 1 (17)
Traveling to an area where the disease is endemic <3 y of illness onset 0
None known 2 (33)

*Values are no. (%) patients except as indicated.
†One patient had diabetes mellitus type 2 and hepatitis C; 1 patient had diabetes mellitus type 2 and a previous history of colon cancer.
‡One patient with a culture positive for Histoplasma capsulatum also had histopathology and urine enzyme immunoassay results consistent with H. capsulatum infection (results not shown).

Main Article

Page created: May 18, 2015
Page updated: May 18, 2015
Page reviewed: May 18, 2015
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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