Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis, infectious disease that is endemic in parts of Africa, South America, and the United States, caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. It is characterized by damage to the lungs and occasional anemia, with ulcerations of the mouth and the gastrointestinal tract, enlargement of the liver and spleen, disorder of the lymph glands, and necrosis (tissue death) of the adrenal glands. If not treated early with an antifungal agent, a severe attack can be fatal. It is particularly common in infants and older men.