Disseminated Histoplasmosis Diagnosed by "touch Prep"

Jacob Kingsley, Dillon Clarey, Scott R. Lauer, Ryan M. Trowbridge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Disseminated histoplasmosis is a rare but serious complication of infection with the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis with cutaneous involvement diagnosed by touch wet preparation and confirmed with histopathology and culture. "Touch prep"performed from a lesional punch biopsy, prepared with Wright-Giemsa followed by chlorazol black containing KOH, revealed abundant yeast organisms localized within multinucleated giant cells, and a rapid diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis with cutaneous involvement was achieved. This report demonstrates the utility of wet prep techniques as an invaluable and rapid beside diagnostic tool in the setting of cutaneous histoplasmosis. In addition, we compare the distinguishing histopathologic features of the infectious organisms within the differential diagnosis of parasitized histiocytes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)597-600
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Dermatopathology
Volume42
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2020

Keywords

  • cutaneous histoplasmosis
  • parasitized histiocytes
  • touch prep

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Dermatology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Disseminated Histoplasmosis Diagnosed by "touch Prep"'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this