Pulmonary histoplasmosis diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy

: A 34-year-old Japanese man working in Mexico City since April 2004, was referred to our hospital in December 2005 because of a nodule in the left lingular bronchus, first pointed out in September 2005. Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed coagulation necrosis, which contained yeast-like cells stained with fungiflora Y stain. We diagnosed pulmonary histoplasmosis (histoplasmoma type) based on the shape of the fungi and on his residential history. The nodule, resected in January, presented histological findings in concordance with the TBLB specimen. We later confirmed his serum was positive for an anti-histoplasma antibody. The pathogen was identified as Histoplasma capsulatum by PCR using lung tissue. This is apparently the first report of Histoplasmosis diagnosed by TBLB. Since imported mycosis is increasing, we should accumulate cases to make guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.