Uncommon Presentation of Gastrointestinal Histoplasmosis in an Immunocompromised Patient

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-2024

Publication Title

American Journal of Gastroenterology

Abstract

Introduction: Histoplasmosis rarely involves the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, comprising , 1% of all histoplasmosis cases. If present, GI histoplasmosis most commonly involves the colon or terminal ileum of immunocompromised patients presenting with abdominal pain and diarrhea. This case uniquely displays GI histoplasmosis without symptoms. Case Description/Methods: A 51-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus on Mycophenolic acid and prednisone underwent a routine screening colonoscopy. The colonoscopy revealed a 3 cm submucosal, ulcerated mass in the distal ascending colon. Biopsies of the lesion showed granulomatous inflammation; tissue stain was consistent with Histoplasmosis. However, urine Histoplasmosis antigen was negative. Computed tomography abdomen demonstrated ascending colon colitis with an appreciable mass, correlating with the colonoscopy findings. The patient was initiated on itraconazole for 1 year. The initial follow-up colonoscopy demonstrated residual findings consistent with colitis and the absence of active disease, with a second follow-up colonoscopy demonstrating resolution of the mass. Urine and serum Histoplasma antigen tested every 4 weeks for 6 months maintained to be negative, while the patient was only compliant with 4 months of therapy. Discussion: Generally, the presentation of GI Histoplasmosis may include abdominal pain and bloody/non-bloody diarrhea. However, only mild GI symptoms may be present in patients with prominent systemic Histoplasmosis. Diagnosis is proven after biopsy confirmation, with pathologic findings including mucosal ulceration, diffuse lymphohistiocytic infiltration of the bowel wall, submucosal nodules, or polypoid lesions. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential in preventing complications of Histoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients, as disseminated disease may cause severe morbidity and mortality. This case demonstrates the ability of Histoplasmosis to be asymptomatic with significant GI involvement in immunocompromised hosts. As displayed, it may rarely manifest as a fungal colonic mass, an important concept when examiners perform colonoscopies in at-risk individuals, even with negative urine antigen and serum testing. Continued surveillance of immunocompromised individuals may be warranted, as this case outlines the possibility of further dissemination had it not been discovered earlier. Overall, a high degree of suspicion should be held for multiple infections of the immunocompromised, even when diagnosing colonic masses (Figure 1).

Volume

119

Issue

10S

First Page

S2102

Comments

American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, October 25-30, 2024, Philadelphia, PA

Last Page

S2103

DOI

10.14309/01.ajg.0001041752.17166.4c

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