Abstract

ABREU LA ROSA, Idioel et al. Histoplasmosis outbreak in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2023, vol.75, n.1  Epub Dec 01, 2023. ISSN 1561-3054.

Histoplasmosis is a deep mycotic infection of worldwide distribution caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. It is characterized by clinical variability that depends mainly on the fungal load, the patient's immune status and the virulence of the germ. We describe an outbreak of acute pulmonary histoplasmosis among military officers, which occurred in the epidemiological context of COVID-19. The episode occurred during work activities in caves in which four soldiers participated, three of whom developed symptoms and were admitted to the "Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima" Hospital in Cienfuegos in January 2022. The information was obtained through medical interviews and clinical records. It was evidenced that in the epidemiological context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosis of other respiratory diseases, including endemic mycoses, should not be underestimated.

Keywords : Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum; histoplasmosis; epidemic outbreak; coronavirus.