Histoplasmosis in the State of Guerrero, Mexico: A biological approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33885/sf.1994.3.812Keywords:
H. capsulatum, histoplasmin, bats, contaminated soilsAbstract
A pilot project has been developed in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, to establish a model of epidemiological,
immunological. and biological research for histoplasmosis in susceptible populations, and to
characterize the causative agent, Histoplasma capsulatum, in nature. The Mexican state selected for this
worlc shows records with a great prevalence for this mycosis. and two areas, Juxtlahuaca and Olinala,
were chosen. High levels of positive histoplasmin-skin test (87% in Juxtlahuaca and 80% in Olinala)
were found in both areas. Individuals studied referred occupational activities related with bats and birds
excreta. Three H. capsula turn isolates were obtained from excreta<ontaminated soil, and three isolates
from insectivorous bats identified as Myotis californicus, Mormoops mcga/ophyla and Pteronotus
parndli. The fungal infection of the first two bat species is considered as the first record in the world,
whereas P. parnell! infection is a new record for Mexico. The fungus was identified by its macro and
microscopic characteristics, as well as by its exoantigens. Mice inoculated with different soil samples
revealed high anti-H. capsula tum antibody titers in sera, determined by ELISA in 26 out of 80 soil
samples with bat guano, as well as in 3ou1 of 13 bird droppings samples. The high incidence of positive
histoplasmin-skin test in the studied population, the isolation of the fungus from bird droppings and
infected bats, and the high specific antibody titers from mice sera inoculated with soil samples,
demonstrate the great prevalence of histoplasmosis in lhe studied areas of Guerrero state
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