Absence of So-Called Histoplasma Uveitis in 134 Cases of Proven Histoplasmosis

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Abstract
Hospital records of 134 patients with culturally or histologically proven systemic histoplasmosis were examined retrospectively; they showed no evidence of the characteristic type of uveitis which has come to be called "presumed histoplasma chorioretinitis." Ocular signs were also absent in 77 cases in whom the diagnosis of systemic histoplasmosis was highly suspicious but not unquestionably proven. Arguments are advanced to suggest that the presently accepted diagnostic criteria of histoplasma uveitis are not sufficiently strict. As it is unlikely that viable Histoplasma capsulatum organisms are present in this type of uveitis, therapy with amphotericin B may not be warranted, especially in view of the well-established toxicity of this medication.