Disseminated histoplasmosis in an elderly patient clinically mimicking a metastatic malignancy

• Author Details:   
• Beant Kaur ^*
• Aparajita Goel

---

View PDF

Histoplasmosis, caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, is endemic in parts of India and often manifests in immunocompromised individuals. However, its presentation can mimic malignancy, particularly in elderly patients, making timely diagnosis challenging. We report a case of a 55-year-old female presenting with constitutional symptoms and imaging findings suggestive of metastatic cancer, who was ultimately diagnosed with disseminated histoplasmosis on cytological evaluation of ascitic fluid. This case underscores the diagnostic significance of cytopathology in detecting rare infections masquerading as neoplastic conditions.