Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis presenting as a small bowel obstruction in an immunocompetent patient. 2023

Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
Department of General Surgery, Western Health, Footscray, Victoria, Australia drjessicawynn@gmail.com.

The clinical presentation of gastrointestinal histoplasmosis (GIH) is often non-specific, mimicking several other gastrointestinal diseases, making diagnosis difficult. We present a case of GIH, causing bowel obstruction in an immunocompetent patient. A woman in her 80s presented with anorexia and a distended abdomen. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis (CTAP) showed ileal thickening. Endoscopy was performed and ileal biopsies were taken. A diagnosis of histoplasmosis was made by histopathology, and she began treatment with liposomal amphotericin and itraconazole. Despite presenting well at her routine follow-up appointments, she presented 4 months after diagnosis with worsening symptoms of anorexia and abdominal distention. CTAP showed the ileal stricture causing bowel obstruction. She underwent itraconazole and steroid treatment while having nasogastric tube decompression. Subsequent gastrografin follow through showing partial obstruction and surgical resection was planned. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated, her kidney function worsened and she suffered from aspiration pneumonia with eventual demise.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007415 Intestinal Obstruction Any impairment, arrest, or reversal of the normal flow of INTESTINAL CONTENTS toward the ANAL CANAL. Intestinal Obstructions,Obstruction, Intestinal
D007421 Intestine, Small The portion of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT between the PYLORUS of the STOMACH and the ILEOCECAL VALVE of the LARGE INTESTINE. It is divisible into three portions: the DUODENUM, the JEJUNUM, and the ILEUM. Small Intestine,Intestines, Small,Small Intestines
D005260 Female Females
D006660 Histoplasmosis Infection resulting from exposure to the fungus HISTOPLASMA. African Histoplasmosis,Disseminated Histoplasmosis,Histoplasma duboisii Infection,Pulmonary Histoplasmosis,Histoplasma Infection,Histoplasma capsulatum Infection,Histoplasma Infections,Histoplasma capsulatum Infections,Histoplasma duboisii Infections,Histoplasmosis, African,Histoplasmosis, Disseminated,Histoplasmosis, Pulmonary,Infection, Histoplasma,Infection, Histoplasma capsulatum,Infection, Histoplasma duboisii
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000855 Anorexia The lack or loss of APPETITE accompanied by an aversion to food and the inability to eat. It is the defining characteristic of the disorder ANOREXIA NERVOSA. Anorexias
D017964 Itraconazole A triazole antifungal agent that inhibits cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes required for ERGOSTEROL synthesis. Orungal,R-51211,Sporanox,R 51211,R51211

Related Publications

Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
January 2014, Endoscopy,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
January 2017, BMJ case reports,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
May 2013, The American surgeon,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
June 2015, The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
May 1996, The American surgeon,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
January 2023, Cureus,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
January 2004, Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
January 2023, IDCases,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
March 2021, ANZ journal of surgery,
Jessica Wynn, and Stephen Chan, and Justin Mc Yeung, and Samantha Ann Pellegrino
January 2010, Journal of global infectious diseases,
Copied contents to your clipboard!