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Management of Histoplasmosis by Infectious Disease Physicians
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Management of Histoplasmosis by Infectious Disease Physicians

Patrick B. Mazi, Sandra R. Arnold, John W. Baddley, Nathan C. Bahr, Susan E. Beekmann, Todd P. McCarty, Philip M. Polgreen, Adriana M. Rauseo and Andrej Spec
Open forum infectious diseases, Vol.9(7), pp.ofac313-ofac313
07/04/2022
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac313
PMCID: PMC9310261
PMID: 35899286
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofac313View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Histoplasmosis remains common along the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys, though 27% of infectious disease physicians reported seeing histoplasmosis outside these endemic areas. Variability of management strategy is increased for scenarios where guidelines lack strong recommendations, particularly for immunocompromised patients. Background The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines for the management of histoplasmosis were last revised 15 years ago. Since those guidelines were compiled, new antifungal treatment options have been developed. Furthermore, the ongoing development of immunomodulatory therapies has increased the population at increased risk to develop histoplasmosis. Methods An electronic survey about the management practices of histoplasmosis was distributed to the adult infectious disease (ID) physician members of the IDSA's Emerging Infections Network. Results The survey response rate was 37% (551/1477). Only 46% (253/551) of respondents reported seeing patients with histoplasmosis. Regions considered endemic had 82% (158/193) of physicians report seeing patients with histoplasmosis compared to 27% (95/358) of physicians in regions not classically considered endemic (P < 0.001). Most ID physicians follow IDSA treatment guidelines recommending itraconazole for acute pulmonary (189/253 [75%]), mild-moderate disseminated (189/253 [75%]), and as step-down therapy for severe disseminated histoplasmosis with (232/253 [92%]) and without (145/253 [57%]) central nervous system involvement. There were no consensus recommendations observed for survey questions regarding immunocompromised patients. Conclusions Though there are increased reports of histoplasmosis diagnoses outside regions classically considered endemic, a majority of ID physicians reported not seeing patients with histoplasmosis. Most respondents reported adherence to IDSA guidelines recommending itraconazole in each clinical situation. New histoplasmosis guidelines need to reflect the growing need for updated general guidance, particularly for immunocompromised populations.
Immunology Infectious Diseases Life Sciences & Biomedicine Microbiology Science & Technology

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