histoplasmosis

noun

his·​to·​plas·​mo·​sis ˌhi-stə-plaz-ˈmō-səs 

: 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

It is also commonly found in the following places, according to the Mayo Clinic: Chicken and pigeon coops Old barns Caves Parks How does histoplasmosis spread? —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 May 2025

Once doctors reviewed the family’s travel history, treatment was quickly shifted to address concerns of histoplasmosis, which the CDC explains can cause cause flu-like symptoms including fever and chills, malaise, cough, headache, chest pain and body aches. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 23 May 2025

Prior to the report, the family had visited the Venado Caves in Costa Rica, which was linked to a previous histoplasmosis outbreak. —Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025

Doctors initially suspected carcinoma after scans showed a mass on his larynx — but a biopsy sample ultimately tested positive for a histoplasmosis infection. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Histoplasma, genus of fungi

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for histoplasmosis

• amyloidosis
• anaplasmosis
• anastomosis
• aponeurosis
• apotheosis
• aspergillosis
• blastomycosis
• coccidiosis
• cryptococcosis
• cysticercosis
• endocytosis
• exocytosis

Medical Definition

histoplasmosis

noun

his·​to·​plas·​mo·​sis -ˌplaz-ˈmō-səs 

plural histoplasmoses -ˌsēz 

: 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)