Oral histoplasmosis as the initial indication of HIV infection: a case report.

Histoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection. In HIV-seropositive subjects, histoplasmosis tends to have a progressive and disseminated course. Oral lesions occur frequently and multiple sites within the mouth can be affected. Diagnosis of histoplasmosis is made by microscopic identification and culture of the fungus in material taken from the affected site. We present a case of oral histoplasmosis in which the mouth was the primary site of the fungal disease and this was the initial indicator of HIV infection. There were lesions of the gingivae and there was destruction of the hard palate with extension into the right maxillary sinus and the right nasal cavity.