Disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient - utility of skin scrape cytology in diagnosis: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus predominately found in soils enriched with bird and bat excreta. Although several cases of histoplasmosis have been reported in India, diagnosis using cytology has been done in very few cases. Case presentation We report here a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a 46-year-old Indian man. Conclusion Skin scrape cytology is a simple, safe, and rapid technique to establish the initial diagnosis, thus promoting early treatment and favorable outcome, in cutaneous fungal infections.

Keywords

• Histoplasmosis
• Dimorphic fungus
• Scrape cytology
• Bird droppings
• Disseminated