Spondylodiscitis due to Histoplasma duboisii. Report of two cases and review of the literature

We report two cases of African histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma duboisi i located in the spine, on two Malian adults aged 40 and 47 years respectiv ely. Clinical signs consisted of dorsal spinal syndrome in both cases and a paraplegia in one case. Radiography and CT scan revealed a spondylodiscitis without any bone recons truction in both cases and a prevertebral abscess in one case. Diagnosis wa s confirmed by mycological and pathological examinations of surgical specim en which revealed Histoplasma duboisii fungus. Medical treatment, after sur gical repair, consisted in ketoconazola with positive results after 12 mont hs. This localisation is rare. It raises diagnosis problems with tuberculous sp ondylodiscitis because of their radio-clinical resemblance.