A rare case of primary mucocutaneous histoplasmosis presenting as a non-healing and disfiguring upper lip ulcer

Abstract

BA 27-year-old female patient presented with a non-healing disfiguring upper lip ulcer for 10 months. At the time of presentation 50% of her lip had been eroded. She had had several consultations and had been on several antibiotic courses without improvement. Histopathological evaluation of an incisional biopsy specimen revealed that she had histoplasmosis. This prompted an HIV test, as this disease is common in immunocompromised patients. Once the diagnosis was clinched she was commenced on Itraconazole with complete resolution of the ulcer. Antiretroviral therapy was also initiated.

Keywords: HIV, Histoplasmosis, Histoplasma Capsulatum, mucocutaneous, ulcer, immunocompromised, Itraconazole