Pulmonary histoplasmosis as an example of imported mycoses in Japan

Abstract

As travel increases, histoplasmosis as an imported mycosis that has the potential to increase abruptly in Japan. A 56-year-old Japanese man who had been in Bolivia for 2 years complained of a dry cough. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple lesions in the right and left lower lobes of his lung that were difficult to diagnose and differentiate from advanced lung cancer. We performed surgical resection for biopsy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. An intraoperative histopathological examination suggested a diagnosis of tuberculoma, but Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was not detected in the tumor tissue. Further histopathological examination, however, strongly suggested a diagnosis of histoplasmosis because multiple small, round yeast foci were observed after Grocott staining. The serological test was positive for anti-Histoplasma capsulatum and confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary histoplasmosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and fluconazole was administrated for 90 days after the operation. Concerning imported mycoses, physicians should be keep abreast of updated and detailed information.