HISTOPLASMOSIS IN MONTREAL DURING FALL OF 1963 WITH OBSERVATIONS ON ERYTHEMA MULTIFORME

Abstract

Although Montreal is in an endemic area, significant clinical histoplasmosis with systemic manifestations has been, until recently, infrequently diagnosed. However, since the autumn of 1963, 31 cases of clinically significant histoplasmosis have been seen by the authors. These were divided into 2 groups: patients in whom the diagnosis was established on the basis of histological and/or cultural demonstration of the fungus; patients in whom the diagnosis was based on a positive histoplasmin skin test, a complement fixation antibody titer of 1:32 or greater and compatible clinical and radiological findings. An additional group of 11 patients who presented with erythema multiforme was investigated and a heretofore unrecognized relationship between histoplasmosis and erythema multiforme was established.