Volume 21, Number 6—June 2015
Letter
Histoplasmosis in Idaho and Montana, USA, 2012–2013
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).