OBJECTIVE

To understand the presentation and current management of histoplasmosis in a pediatric oncology center. Study design Retrospective review of clinical features of patients with histoplasmosis at a tertiary-care cancer center in an endemic area.

RESULTS

Between 1988 and 2001, 57 patients with cancer had 61 episodes of acute histoplasmosis. Of these, 76% were male, and 64% had acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Most were not neutropenic and had nonspecific febrile illnesses. The most rapid and specific tests for histoplasmosis in patients with cancer were histopathologic examination of lung biopsy specimens in patients with localized pulmonary infection and Histoplasma sp. antigen detection in the urine of patients with disseminated histoplasmosis (DH). The mean times to diagnosis were 20.6+/-15.2 days (pulmonary) and 18.6+/-8.2 days (disseminated) after the onset of symptoms. Most patients were treated with amphotericin B (AmB) followed by azole drugs for a mean of 8.5+/-3.1 weeks (pulmonary) and 10.4+/-7.9 weeks (disseminated). No patient died of histoplasmosis, but cancer therapy often was modified because of the infection. Most received unnecessary antibacterial drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Most readily available diagnostic tests for histoplasmosis lack sensitivity in these patients. Delay in diagnosis of histoplasmosis complicates care. No deaths were attributed to histoplasmosis; outcomes after treatment are good.