HISTOPLASMOSIS INFECTION IN HUMAN—THE SILENT DISASTER

Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum and Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii and the human disease they cause, collectively referred to as histoplasmosis, are prevalent worldwide. Histoplasmosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. The World Health Organization has officially recognised histoplasmosis as an AIDSdefining illness, a neglected tropical (fungal) disease, and an important cause of death in patients with advanced HIV disease. Histoplasmosis has an incredibly protean manifestation and is commonly misdiagnosed as tuberculosis or cancer. In the recent past, significant advancement has been achieved with respect to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Dr Samuel Darling was first described Histoplasmosis in 1906.Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus found in many parts of the world in soil enriched with bird droppings of certain birds and bats .Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus.