Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis: Progress and possibilities

Background: Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis are important global fungal infections that primarily start as pulmonary pathogens but can lead to disseminated, fatal disease requiring prolonged antifungal therapy. Objectives: In this narrative review, we aimed to create an approachable resource for clinicians to guide them and their patients towards timely diagnosis and treatment. Sources: A comprehensive search of the PubMed database from the year 2000 through October 2024 was done to identify papers informing this review. Article references were reviewed for further relevant work. Content: We highlight the similarities, differences, and areas of future work for these dimorphic fungi focusing on the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment. Implications: Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis overlap in many areas, but understanding the differences between these two infections allows clinicians to optimize the management of their patients.