Bat Histoplasmosis in Alabama

HETA 93-1119-2374, Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, Saint Leon, Indiana.

“…Isolations of H. capsulatum from bats captured in the United States have been extensive. (14) While accumulations of bat droppings alone have been shown to be contaminated with H. capsulatum, (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22) similar results have been reported far less frequently for samples taken from accumulations of bird droppings. (23) In avian habitats, the organism seems to grow preferentially where the guano is rotting and mixed with soil rather than in nests or fresh deposits.…”

“…(24) C. neoformans has also been recovered from bat droppings and associated dusts during studies for which samples were also found to contain H. capsulatum. (17,18,22) Unlike outbreaks of other mycoses, outbreaks of cryptococcosis traced to environmental sources have not been described, and it is presumed that most people can mount adequate host defenses when exposed to the organism. (26) However, as with histoplasmosis, the prevalence of cryptococcosis is markedly increased among immunocompromised patients.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-92-0348-2361, First United Methodist Church, Manchester, Tennessee.

“…Isolations of H. capsulatum from bats captured in the United States have been extensive. (11) While accumulations of bat droppings alone have been shown to be contaminated with H. capsulatum, (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) similar results have been reported far less frequently for samples taken from accumulations of bird droppings. (20) In avian habitats, the organism seems to grow preferentially where the guano is rotting and mixed with soil rather than in nests or fresh deposits.…”

“…Workers at one site reported burning eyes and mucous membrane irritation, (40) while workers at another site reported nausea with vomiting. (41) In addition to soil disinfection, formaldehyde has also been reported to be effective for disinfecting H. capsulatum-infected accumulations of bat droppings in the attics of buildings, using formalin concentrations of 3% (15) and 4%. (19) Formaldehyde solutions should be used with caution since this chemical may cause adverse health effects following exposure via inhalation, ingestion, or dermal or eye contact.…”

“…(21) C. neoformans has also been recovered from bat droppings and associated dusts during studies for which samples were also found to contain H. capsulatum. (14,15,19) Unlike outbreaks of other mycoses, outbreaks of cryptococcosis traced to environmental sources have not been described, and it is presumed that most people can mount adequate host defenses when exposed to the organism. (23) However, as with histoplasmosis, the prevalence of cryptococcosis is markedly increased among immunocompromised patients.…”