Histoplasmosis medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Medical Therapy

Antifungal medications are used to treat severe cases of acute histoplasmosis and all cases of chronic and disseminated disease. Typical treatment of severe disease first involves treatment with amphotericin B, followed by oral itraconazole. In many milder cases, simply itraconazole is sufficient. Asymptomatic disease is typically not treated. Past infection results in partial protection against ill effects if reinfected.

Antimicrobial Regimen

• Histoplasmosis

• Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis

• Moderately severe or severe

• Preferred regimen: Lipid amphotericin B (Lipid AmB) 3.0–5.0 mg/kg daily for 1–2 weeks OR Amphotericin B deoxycholate 0.7–1.0 mg/kg daily for 1–2 weeks, followed by Itraconazole 200 mg 3 times daily for 3 days and then 200 mg twice daily, for a total of 12 weeks
• Note: Methylprednisolone 0.5–1.0 mg/kg daily IV during the first 1–2 weeks of antifungal therapy is recommended for patients who develop respiratory complications, including hypoxemia or significant respiratory distress.

• Mild to moderate

• Preferred regimen:

• For symptoms of <4 weeks, none
• For symptoms of >4 weeks, Itraconazole 200 mg PO 3 times daily for 3 days and then 200 mg once or twice daily for 6–12 weeks

• Chronic cavitary pulmonary histoplasmosis

• Preferred regimen: Itraconazole 200 mg PO 3 times daily for 3 days and then once or twice daily for at least 1 year

• Pericarditis

• Moderately severe to severe

• Preferred regimen(1): Prednisone 0.5–1.0 mg/kg daily (maximum, 80 mg daily) in tapering doses over 1–2 weeks
• Note(1): Itraconazole 200 mg 3 times daily for 3 days and then once or twice daily for 6–12 weeks is recommended if corticosteroids are administered
• Note(2): Tamponade requires drainage of pericardial fluid
• Note(3): Antifungal therapy is given to reduce possible dissemination caused by prednisone induced immunosuppression

• Mild

• Preferred regimen: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

• Rheumatologic histoplasmosis

• severe

• Preferred regimen: Prednisone 0.5–1.0 mg/kg daily (maximum, 80 mg daily) in tapering doses over 1–2 weeks is recommended in severe cases

• Mild

• Preferred regimen: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
• Note: Corticosteroids are rarely needed