Which fungal infection is commonly found in Mississippi and the Ohio River Valley, causing patchy multilobar infiltrates?

Histoplasmosis is the fungal infection commonly found in Mississippi and the Ohio River Valley, and it is indeed known to cause patchy multilobar infiltrates in the lungs. This disease is primarily caused by inhaling spores from the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which is often found in environments rich in bird or bat droppings, particularly in areas of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.

Patients with histoplasmosis may present with respiratory symptoms, and chest imaging commonly reveals the characteristic pattern of patchy infiltrates or a miliary appearance. The infection can range from asymptomatic to severe, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The diagnosis typically involves serological tests, culture, or histological examination of tissue.

Other options, while related to fungal infections or lung pathology, do not specifically match the geographic and clinical profile of histoplasmosis. Candidiasis is mostly associated with mucosal infections or opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Pneumocystis pneumonia is more prevalent in individuals with HIV/AIDS and presents with different imaging findings, often more diffuse than patchy. Aspergillosis is associated with specific risk factors and clinical presentations, including the formation of nodules or the "halo" sign