Histoplasmosis is a disease of the lungs (can infect other internal organs by dissemination) caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Can be fatal.
"Histoplasmosis in AIDS usually presents as a disseminated infection.1,5 The most common manifestation (and sometimes the only presentation) is fever and weight loss, which occurs in about 75 percent of patients. Respiratory complaints (cough, shortness of breath) occur in about 50 per cent of patients. Chest radiographs are normal in 30 to 40 percent of patients; most of the remaining patients have diffuse nodular infiltrates. Local or generalized Iymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, colonic lesions, and skin (Figures 2 and 3) and oral ulcers also occur. The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, usually in the form of ulcers, may lead patients to present with abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding. Between 5 and l0 percent of patients have an acute septic shock-like syndrome that includes hypotension and evidence of disseminated coagulopathy. This presentation carries a very poor prognosis. Central nervous system involvement with meningitis or cerebral mass lesions is a rare but important complication. Laboratory findings may include anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia (reflecting bone marrow invasion by the fungus) and elevation of hepatic enzymes. The CD4+ lymphocyte count is almost invariably less than 200/mm3 and usually less than 100/mm3. The major differential diagnosis for disseminated histoplasmosis is mycobacterial infection." Not sure how laser surgery would help unless we are talking about ocular Histoplasmosis: "These scars, which in the case of Ocular histo are what cause the sight degeneration, usually later in life. Ocular Histoplasmosis occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow through the healed histo scars and into the interior of the eye. This condition, which is secondary to Ocular Histoplasmosis is called Sub Choroidal Neo-Vascularization. This may cause bleeding or increased scarring. If the scars are located close to the macula or center of vision, which is usually the case, reduction or loss of central vision may occur." http://home.golden.net/~blink/histo.shtml for discussion of laser surgery etc. Usually antifungal medication is prescribed. Nebulising with CS/DMSO mix may prove helpful, perhaps adding beta glucan and olive leaf extract. If disseminated, then oral CS, olive leaf extract (Seagate brand preferred) and beta glucan could be of help. Ivan. -----Original Message----- From: Wayne Fugitt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, 13 August 2002 12:08 a.m. To: [email protected] Subject: CS>Histoplasmosis Is this a fungus or actually a disease? A friend has been diagnosed with this condition and was given only one option, Laser surgery. This does not sound like this is in the best interest of the patient. If anyone has had any first person experience with this, I would like to know more about this ailment, Histoplasmosis. Any reason why CS would not handle this little critter? Wayne --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.380 / Virus Database: 213 - Release Date: 24/07/2002 -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. Instructions for unsubscribing may be found at: http://silverlist.org To post, address your message to: [email protected] Silver-list archive: http://escribe.com/health/thesilverlist/index.html List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
