histoplasmosis

noun

his·​to·​plas·​mo·​sis ˌhi-stə-plaz-ˈmō-səs How to pronounce histoplasmosis (audio)
: a respiratory disease with symptoms like those of influenza that is caused by a fungus (Histoplasma capsulatum) and is marked by benign involvement of lymph nodes of the trachea and bronchi or by severe progressive generalized involvement of the lymph nodes and tissues (as of the liver or spleen) rich in macrophages

Examples of histoplasmosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some other fungal diseases of humans are also on the move, such as histoplasmosis and blastomycosis. Mark Takahashi, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2023 Enlarge / Histoplasma capsulatum is a species of parasitic, yeast-like dimorphic fungus that can, if inhaled, cause a type of lung infection called histoplasmosis. Mark Takahashi, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2023 Those are Valley fever in the dry Southwestern US; histoplasmosis in the damp Ohio River valley; and blastomycosis, with a range that stretched from the Great Lakes down the Mississippi to New Orleans, and as far east as the Virginia coast. Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2023 In contrast, histoplasmosis and valley fever typically do not cause symptoms.1517 Valley fever may cause flu-like symptoms that go away within weeks to months. Korin Miller, Health, 6 Aug. 2023 In another histoplasmosis victim, different clinical features might emerge. Claire Panosian Dunavan, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2010 When disturbed and improperly cleaned up, bat guano can cause histoplasmosis in humans, a lung infection from breathing in air contaminated with fungal spores (histoplasma capsulatum). Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 27 June 2023 Climate change also threatens to make several infection-causing fungi more widespread: The fungus that causes Valley fever thrives in hot, dry soil, and the fungus that causes an illness called histoplasmosis prefers high humidity. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 10 Feb. 2023 Later, during the mixing process, Dylan came down with the near-fatal heart ailment histoplasmosis. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'histoplasmosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Histoplasma, genus of fungi

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of histoplasmosis was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near histoplasmosis

Cite this Entry

“Histoplasmosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/histoplasmosis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

histoplasmosis

noun
his·​to·​plas·​mo·​sis -ˌplaz-ˈmō-səs How to pronounce histoplasmosis (audio)
plural histoplasmoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce histoplasmosis (audio)
: a respiratory disease with symptoms like those of influenza that is endemic in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys of the United States, is caused by infection with a fungus of the genus Histoplasma (H. capsulatum), and is marked by benign involvement of lymph nodes of the trachea and bronchi usually without symptoms or by severe progressive generalized involvement of the lymph nodes and macrophage-rich tissues (as of the liver and spleen) with fever, anemia, leukopenia and often with local lesions (as of the skin, mouth, or throat)

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