Cutaneous and Osseous Histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii in a Seemingly Immunocompetent Young Senegalese Woman

Abstract

African histoplasmosis is a rare deep mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var duboisii. It can affect various organs such as the skin, lymph nodes, and bones. The diagnosis is often delayed due to its similarity to certain diseases such as tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, pyogenic abscesses, and even neoplasia. We report a case of cutaneous and osseous histoplasmosis caused by H. capsulatum var. duboisii in a seemingly immunocompetent 19-year-old senegalese woman who presented with chronic disseminated cutaneous abscesses, some of which had fistulised, and umbilicated papules on the face. The radiograph of the right forearm showed a metaphyso-diaphyseal osteolytic lesion of the ulna. Histology after biopsy of a facial papule confirmed the diagnosis of histoplasmosis caused by H. capsulatum var duboisii. The patient's condition improved with fluconazole treatment.