Imagine losing 50 pounds without any effort or lifestyle change.
That’s exactly what happened to a 61-year-old man from Florida. His sudden weight loss was eventually traced back to a severe fungal infection, rather than a new diet or exercise routine.
After months of experiencing night sweats, extreme fatigue, and persistent fever, the man finally sought medical help.
Tests revealed he had been infected by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dangerous fungus found in bat droppings.
Alarmingly, his fungal levels were around 25 times higher than what can typically be detected in a blood test.
The infection wreaked havoc on his body. It had spread to his heart, causing inflammation and making his spleen swell. It also led to the development of two masses on his adrenal glands.
Despite his health challenges—he had diabetes, high blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat—doctors noted he was fortunate to have survived.
Severe infections from this fungus can be fatal if not treated promptly, particularly for those with weakened immune systems. In comparison, Covid-19 is fatal in less than 0.1% of cases.
The man worked as a building supervisor and managed a 16-acre farm where he raised calves.
Doctors were puzzled by his infection because Histoplasma capsulatum is rarely found in Florida and is more commonly seen in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.
According to the CDC, these regions are more conducive to the fungus’s growth due to their soil conditions, distance from water, and land coverage. The fungus thrives in environments with large amounts of bird or bat excrement, often found in chicken coops or similar settings.
Despite the man’s claims of no recent contact with bats or birds and no travel outside Florida, the fungus can also contaminate soil and persist there for years.
Medical Intervention and Recovery
The man underwent heart surgery to address the damage caused by the infection and was treated with intravenous antifungal medication for two weeks.
Post-surgery, he faced further complications and was admitted to the ICU for six days due to anemia and worsening kidney function.
Once he recovered, he was discharged with a long-term antifungal treatment plan.
Follow-up visits showed a significant improvement: his symptoms had subsided, and histoplasma levels in his blood were decreasing.
Ongoing Investigation
Histoplasmosis is not reportable in every state, so exact infection rates are unclear. However, in states where it is reported, the infection rate is typically one to two cases per 100,000 people.
Following the case, the Department of Health took soil samples from the man’s farm to investigate further, with results still pending at the time of the report’s publication last month.
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