Journal of Neuroinfectious Diseases
Open Access

Review Article

Histoplasmosis of the Central Nervous System

David Trofa¹ and Joshua D. Nosanchuk^2,*

¹School of Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02110, USA

²Department of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA

*Corresponding Author:

Joshua D
Department of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)
and Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx
NY 10461, USA
E-mail: josh.nosanchuk@einstein.yu.edu

Received Date: 4 June 2012 Revised Date: 2 August 2012 Accepted Date: 7 August 2012

Histoplasmosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is not an uncommon complication of Histoplasma capsulatum infection since it occurs in ∼2% to 20% of disseminated cases. CNS histoplasmosis carries a mortality rate that ranges from 11.1% to 100%, and the risk factors for dissemination to the brain have yet to be determined. Diagnosis is often difficult and time consuming, which can result in delayed initiation of treatment. The recommended treatment for CNS histoplasmosis involves a high dose liposomal amphotericin B followed by maintenance azole therapy, usually for at least a year; however no comparative trials have been performed to prove efficacy of one regimen over another. Further, prospective and in vivo studies are necessary to more effectively combat this disease.

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