Disseminated histoplasmosis in a renal transplantation recipient: Peripheral blood smear was the key

Abstract

Disseminated histoplasmosis is common in immunocompromised patients such as patients with AIDS, hematologic malignancies, transplant recipients, and those on prolonged corticosteroid use. We report the case of a 53-year-old man with a history of end-stage renal disease due to uncontrolled hypertension who underwent renal transplantation in 2013. He presented to the hospital with a 5-day history of dyspnea, and blood tests showed pancytopenia. The diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis was made rapidly by peripheral blood smear. We encourage clinicians to check peripheral blood smear if disseminated histoplasmosis is suspected.