histoplasmosis

noun his·to·plas·mo·sis \ˌhis-tə-plaz-ˈmō-səs\

Definition of HISTOPLASMOSIS

: 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

Origin of HISTOPLASMOSIS

New Latin, from Histoplasma, genus of fungi

First Known Use: 1907

Medical Dictionary

histoplasmosis

noun his·to·plas·mo·sis \-ˌplaz-ˈmō-səs\

plural his·to·plas·mo·ses \-ˌsēz\

Medical Definition of HISTOPLASMOSIS

: 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)