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Aiding in the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis in spinal fluid specimens
Histoplasma capsulatum is a soil saprophyte that grows well in soil enriched with bird droppings. The usual disease is self-limited, affects the lungs, and is asymptomatic. Chronic cavitary pulmonary disease, disseminated disease, and meningitis may occur and can be fatal, especially in young children and immunosuppressed patients.
MYCELIAL BY COMPLEMENT FIXATION (CF)
Negative (positives reported as titer)
YEAST BY CF
Negative (positives reported as titer)
ANTIBODY BY IMMUNODIFFUSION
Negative (positives reported as band present)
Any positive serologic result in spinal fluid is significant.
Simultaneous appearance of the H and M precipitin bands indicates active histoplasmosis.
The M band alone indicates active or chronic disease or a recent skin test for histoplasmosis.
Antibody levels may be low in spinal fluid in cases of Histoplasma meningitis.
Histoplasmin skin tests yield specific antibodies in titratable quantity and may cause difficulties in interpretation.
Cross-reacting antibodies with coccidioidomycosis or blastomycosis may cause false-positive results for Histoplasmosis.
1. Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E: Clinical immunomycology. In: Manual of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press.1997
2. Deepe GS: Histoplasma capsulatum Histoplasmosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:3162-3176