Silent Fungus, Sudden Crisis: Gastrointestinal Bleeding due to Disseminated Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is typically a self-limiting infection in immunocompetent individuals, but may present as a life-threatening disseminated disease in immunocompromised hosts. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, radiological abnormalities and endoscopic findings are non-specific. We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a kidney transplant recipient presenting with hemorrhagic shock due to severe colonic ulcerations. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for GI histoplasmosis in patients originating from endemic regions and underscores the need for careful endoscopic evaluation with adequate tissue sampling.

Keywords: intestinal histoplasmosis, disseminated histoplasmosis, kidney transplant, gastrointestinal bleeding.