Disseminated Histoplasmosis in an Immunocompetent Patient After COVID-19 Pneumonia
Matthew Taylor, Arjun Ghodasara, Ali Mohamed Ali Ismail, Umair Gauhar, Karim El‐Kersh
Abstract
Disseminated histoplasmosis can occur in immunocompromised patients such as in HIV disease and patients with medication-induced immunosuppression. Most of these patients present with fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and pancytopenia. There are increasing reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia associated with fungal infections including aspergillus and mucormycosis. It is not typical for immunocompetent patients to present with disseminated fungal disease. We herein report a case of a 50-year-old immunocompetent male with a recent recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia who presented with fever and pancytopenia. Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated new-onset right upper lobe lung mass, subcarinal lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. Mediastinal lymph nodes and bone marrow biopsies were performed, and the patient was diagnosed with disseminated histoplasmosis. The association between COVID-19 pneumonia and fungal infections is increasingly reported. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, especially in immunocompetent patients.