Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis in a Belgian traveller returning from Suriname diagnosed with NGS: a case report.
Jens T Van Praet, Lander Van Acker, Ivo Van den Berghe et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 48-year-old Belgian woman presented with fever, dry cough, and dyspnoea after a trip to Suriname. Imaging revealed nodular masses and lymphadenopathy in the lungs. Despite negative tests for common pathogens, targeted nanopore sequencing of lymph node tissue identified Histoplasma capsulatum, confirming acute pulmonary histoplasmosis. The patient was managed effectively following this diagnosis.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights the utility of next-generation sequencing in diagnosing a rare fungal infection, particularly when conventional tests yield negative results.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider next-generation sequencing for diagnosing atypical infections, especially in patients with recent travel history to endemic areas.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques in identifying rare pathogens that may not be detected by standard methods.