Histoplasmosis with cutaneous nodules and oral granuloma caused by Histoplasma capsulatum in a Bengalee
Thammayya, A.; Sanyal, M.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 69: 428-435
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 447380 Document Number: 142910
A case of disseminated histoplasmosis presenting cutaneous nodules and granulomatous oral lesions in a Bengalee male and full-time resident of a village in West Bengal was studied in detail. There was no involvement of lung and bone marrow. H. capsulatum was present in the cutaneous nodules and oral lesions in the form of intracellular and extracellular yeast-like cells measuring 3.5-4.5 .times. 3.0-3.5 .mu. and was recovered in culture from both lesions. The mycelial-phase of the primary culture converted to yeast-phase on egg medium at 37.degree. C. In spite of the presence of cutaneous nodules, the possibility of African histoplasmosis was excluded in this case by the presence of small yeast-like cells in the cytoplasm of the mononuclear cells. Nystatin treatment of the oral cavity prior to cultural study helped in recovering H. capsulatum in pure form which had been inhibited by Candida sp. on the 1st isolation. The local soil was the source of infection.