Overview
Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. It is sometimes called 'cave disease' or 'Ohio Valley disease' because the fungus is very common in certain parts of the world, especially in river valleys. People get infected by breathing in tiny fungal spores from the environment, often from soil that contains bird or bat droppings. Most healthy people who breathe in these spores never feel sick at all, or they may have only mild flu-like symptoms that go away on their own. However, in some people — especially those with weakened immune systems, very young children, or older adults — the infection can become serious and spread throughout the body. When histoplasmosis does cause symptoms, it most often affects the lungs. People may experience fever, cough, fatigue, and chest pain. In more severe cases, the infection can spread to other organs like the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and brain. This severe form is called disseminated histoplasmosis and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. The good news is that histoplasmosis can be treated with antifungal medicines. Mild cases may not need any treatment at all. Moderate to severe cases are treated with antifungal drugs such as itraconazole or amphotericin B, which are well-established and effective. With proper treatment, most people recover fully. Long-term treatment may be needed for people with weakened immune systems to prevent the infection from coming back.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
FeverCoughFatigue and tirednessChest pain or tightnessShortness of breathHeadacheMuscle aches and joint painChills and sweatingUnintended weight lossEnlarged lymph nodesEnlarged liver or spleenMouth sores or skin lesions (in severe cases)Confusion or neurological symptoms (in severe cases)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsUniversity of Minnesota — PHASE3
Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre — PHASE3
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Histoplasmosis.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Histoplasmosis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Histoplasmosis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Histoplasmosis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Efficacy and Safety of High-dose Liposomal Amphotericin B for Disseminated Histoplasmosis in AIDS
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Histoplasmosis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Do I need antifungal treatment, or can my body fight this infection on its own?,How long will I need to take antifungal medication, and what side effects should I watch for?,Are there any activities or environments I should avoid while I am infected or recovering?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what tests will be used to monitor my progress?,Is there a risk that the infection could come back, and if so, how can we prevent that?,Should other members of my household or people I was with be tested or evaluated?,Do I need to see any other specialists, such as a lung doctor or an immune system specialist?
Common questions about Histoplasmosis
What is Histoplasmosis?
Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. It is sometimes called 'cave disease' or 'Ohio Valley disease' because the fungus is very common in certain parts of the world, especially in river valleys. People get infected by breathing in tiny fungal spores from the environment, often from soil that contains bird or bat droppings. Most healthy people who breathe in these spores never feel sick at all, or they may have only mild flu-like symptoms that go away on their own. However, in some people — especially those with weakened immune systems, very young chil
How is Histoplasmosis inherited?
Histoplasmosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Histoplasmosis?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Histoplasmosis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Histoplasmosis?
20 specialists and care centers treating Histoplasmosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.