Histoplasmosis
Histoplasma capsulatum
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis:
antigen detection in blood, urine or broncho-alveolar fluid, OR positive microscopy, OR mycological culture of blood, urine, broncho-alveolar fluid, CSF or tissue biopsy, OR PCR in blood or other clinical samples. Aspergillus galactomannan assays may be helpful to diagnose disseminated infections as cross reactivity occurs
Note: CSF, which shows typically a lymphatic pleocytosis, is usually microscopy and culture negative. Detection of histoplasma antigen or antibody is more sensitive. A clinical diagnosis is possible, if disseminated histoplasmosis is present and CNS infection is not explained by another cause
Notes on treatment:
- Fluconazole should not be used for treatment of histoplasmosis. Little clinical evidence is available for the use of voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole.
- Be aware of interactions of azoles with ARVs,see Drug-drug Interactions Between ARVs and Non-ARVs and Anti-infective/ART interaction table
- Measurement of plasma concentration of itraconazole is advised to guide optimal treatment, and itraconazole oral suspension should be preferred due to better bioavailability. Serum itraconazole trough concentration should be at least 1 mcg/mL if measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). If levels cannot be measured, consider alternative drugs.
Drug / Dose | Comments | |
---|---|---|
Severe disseminated histoplasmosis | Induction therapy: liposomal amphotericin B 3 mg/kg/day iv |
For 2 weeks or until clinical improvement |
Consolidation therapy: itraconazole 200 mg tid po for 3 days, then 200 mg bid po |
For at least 12 months | |
Moderate disseminated histoplamosis | itraconazole 200 mg tid po for 3 days, then 200mg bid po |
For at least 12 months |
Histoplasma meningitis | Induction therapy: liposomal amphotericin B 5 mg/kg qd iv |
For 4-6 weeks |
Consolidation therapy: itraconazole 200 mg bid-tid po |
For at least 12 months and until resolution of abnormal CSF findings |
Secondary Prophylaxis / Maintenance Therapy
Stop: if CD4 count > 150 cells/μL and HIV-VL undetectable over 6 months, negative fungal blood cultures, histoplasma antigen < 2μg/L or neg PCR, if available, and > 1 year treatment
Consider long-term suppressive therapy in severe cases of meningitis and in cases of relapse despite adequate treatment
Drug / Dose |
---|
itraconazole 200 mg qd po |