2025 ICD-10-CM code B39
Effective Date: N/A Certain infectious and parasitic diseases - Mycoses 1 Feed
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by inhaling Histoplasma spores, often found in bird and bat droppings. Most cases are mild or asymptomatic, but severe infections can occur, especially in those with weakened immune systems.
Medical necessity for diagnostic testing and treatment is based on the severity of the infection, the patient's immune status, and the presence of complications.Disseminated or chronic histoplasmosis typically necessitates antifungal therapy.
Clinicians should consider patient history, including potential exposure to contaminated soil, along with physical examination findings and symptoms.Diagnosis is confirmed through laboratory tests (blood, urine, sputum cultures; antigen and antibody tests) and imaging studies (chest x-ray, CT scan). Treatment with antifungal medications is determined by disease severity and immune status.
In simple words: Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus found in bird and bat poop. You get it by breathing in tiny fungal spores. Most people don't get sick, but some have mild flu-like symptoms.People with weak immune systems can get a more serious lung infection that might spread to other parts of the body.Doctors can diagnose histoplasmosis with blood tests, urine tests, or by looking at a sample of infected tissue. Treatment with antifungal medicines is needed for serious cases.
Histoplasmosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.It is acquired by inhalation of airborne spores found in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings.The infection primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other organs in severe cases, particularly in individuals with compromised immunity.Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic to acute pulmonary disease, chronic cavitary pulmonary histoplasmosis (resembling tuberculosis), and disseminated histoplasmosis.Diagnosis involves laboratory tests such as blood or urine cultures, antigen detection, and antibody testing, as well as imaging studies like chest x-rays and CT scans. Treatment is usually not necessary for mild cases, but antifungal medications are indicated for moderate to severe infections.Disseminated histoplasmosis requires aggressive antifungal therapy.
Example 1: A gardener working in soil enriched with bird droppings develops fever, cough, and fatigue, and is diagnosed with histoplasmosis through a positive antigen test., An immunocompromised patient presents with disseminated histoplasmosis, affecting the lungs, liver, and central nervous system, requiring hospitalization and aggressive antifungal therapy., A construction worker demolishing an old building in the Mississippi River valley develops acute pulmonary histoplasmosis, confirmed by a chest x-ray showing characteristic infiltrates.
Documentation should include patient history of exposure, symptoms, laboratory results (cultures, antigen, antibody tests), imaging findings (chest x-ray, CT scan), and treatment provided (antifungal medications).
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Pulmonary Medicine, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center