Histoplasma endocarditis: clinical and mycologic features and outcomes

Histoplasma endocarditis is an infrequent but important cause of left-sided, blood culture-negative endocarditis. Its true prevalence may be underestimated because of the relative difficulty in making a precise microbiologic diagnosis. Amphotericin B therapy appears more effective than for Candida endocarditis, while the role for azole treatment and secondary prophylaxis remains uncertain. Indications for surgical valve replacement are similar to those for bacterial endocarditis.