Considerations about the Geographic Distribution of
            <i>Histoplasma</i>
            Species

Taylor, Mária Lucía; Reyes-Montes, María del Roció; Estrada-Bárcenas, Daniel Alfonso; Zancopé‐Oliveira, Rosely Maria; Rodríguez-Arellanes, Gabriela; Ramírez, José Antonio

doi:10.1128/aem.02010-21

Cited by 27 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…In the Americas, histoplasmosis is typically caused by H. capsulatum (and its variants), whereas H. duboisii (restricted to Central and West Africa) causes African histoplasmosis. Although H. capsulatum was originally thought to be restricted to certain areas (e.g., central and eastern states surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys, as well as the St. Lawrence River valley), it is now recognized that different species from the Histoplasma complex can be found worldwide [ 132 ]. Indeed, the first description of histoplasmosis by Samuel Darling in 1905 was of a disseminated, fatal form in a 27-year-old Martinique man presenting febrile vomiting and whose autopsy showed leptomeningitis with the involvement of the spleen and marrow [ 133 ].…”

Section: Thermally Dimorphic Endemic Mycosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of Mycelium and Men: Inherent Human Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases

Vinh

2023

Pathogens

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In medical mycology, the main context of disease is iatrogenic-based disease. However, historically, and occasionally, even today, fungal diseases affect humans with no obvious risk factors, sometimes in a spectacular fashion. The field of “inborn errors of immunity” (IEI) has deduced at least some of these previously enigmatic cases; accordingly, the discovery of single-gene disorders with penetrant clinical effects and their immunologic dissection have provided a framework with which to understand some of the key pathways mediating human susceptibility to mycoses. By extension, they have also enabled the identification of naturally occurring auto-antibodies to cytokines that phenocopy such susceptibility. This review provides a comprehensive update of IEI and autoantibodies that inherently predispose humans to various fungal diseases.

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Section: Thermally Dimorphic Endemic Mycosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of Mycelium and Men: Inherent Human Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases

Vinh

2023

Pathogens

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“…Although, in the past, histoplasmosis was reported in tropical and subtropical areas between latitudes 45°N and 35°S, autochthonous cases have been reported, in recent decades, in both Canada and Patagonia, demonstrating a geographical dispersion at extreme latitudes of H. capsulatum. The wide geographic spread of the fungus may be the result of behavioral changes in its natural reservoirs and dispersers as well as climatic changes in its natural habitat [75].…”

Section: Natural Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The infection is not contagious, airborne transmission by nasal secretions or direct host-to-host transmission of the fungus have never been established [61,64,75,80]. Although exceptional, the vertical transmission route has been reported in newborns of mothers who manifested the disease in the last trimester of pregnancy, while receiving anti-TNF therapy or in the setting of HIV infection [80].…”

Section: Transmission Routesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The infected bats are also natural reservoirs of H. capsulatum, returning the fungus to the environment through their urine, feces, and carcasses. Although immune to disease, starlings and black birds contribute to the spreading of spores on their feathers, beaks, claws, and feet over short distances and, on the other hand, favor the mycelial growth in the soil through their droppings rich in nitrogen and phosphorus [48,49,75]. Wind, storms, airstreams in bat caves, and other natural environmental phenomenon are promoting factors for the epidemiological process.…”

Section: Risk Factors For Epidemiological Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epidemiology of Histoplasmosis

Efrim¹,

Dumea²,

Cernat³

2023

Infectious Diseases

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More prevalent than initially considered, histoplasmosis is primarily a non-contagious disease of the reticuloendothelial system, producing a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic or self-limited infection, in immunocompetent patients to life-threatening, disseminated disease in immunocompromised ones. The causative agent is H. capsulatum, a thermally dimorphic, intracellular fungus, discovered in 1906, by the pathologist Samuel Darling, when examined tissues from a young man whose death was mistakenly attributed to miliary tuberculosis. Since then, histoplasmosis was described on six continents, with high and low endemicity areas. H. capsulatum is a soil-based fungus, commonly associated with river valleys in the temperate zone, and with the presence of bird and bat guano. Infection occurs when saprophytic spores are inhaled and change to the pathogenic yeast in the lungs, where H. capsulatum overcomes many obstacles to cause host injuries. Depending on geographic distribution, morphology, and clinical symptoms, three varieties have been historically recognized, two of them (var. capsulatum and var. duboisii) being pathogen to humans, and the third (var. farciminosum) has predominantly been described as an equine pathogen. In endemic areas, patients with AIDS or people who receive immunosuppressive therapies should be counseled to avoid high-risk activities; otherwise, precautionary measures should be taken.

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“…Importantly, genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses demonstrate marked diversity within the Histoplasma genus. The identification of multiple cryptic species with varying geography and virulence has led to modifications of Histoplasma taxonomy [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Epidemiology and Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Updates on Histoplasmosis in Solid Organ Transplantation

Saullo

Miller

2022

Curr Fungal Infect Rep

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Purpose of Review Histoplasmosis remains a challenging infection in solid organ transplantation. This review provides a topic update with emphasis on the changing Histoplasma epidemiology, along with new diagnostic and treatment innovations. Recent Findings Recent years have observed expanding Histoplasma geographic distribution due to climate change, environmental disruption, and host factors. Early clinical experience also suggests a relationship between COVID-19 infection and histoplasmosis, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Advances in diagnostic methods, such as newer enzyme immunoassays and molecular techniques, have broadened the capability for expedient and highly specific pathogen identification. Novel drug innovations, including the development of new formulations of existing antifungal agents, extended-spectrum azoles and new antifungal drug classes have expanded therapeutic options. Summary Advances in organ transplantation have largely outpaced those for histoplasmosis. However, these emerging insights enhance our understanding of this pathogen and management of clinical infection, particularly for transplant recipients with a higher incidence and severity of disease.

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Considerations about the Geographic Distribution of Histoplasma Species

Abstract: Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection principally affecting pulmonary tissue; sometimes, histoplasmosis can progress into a systemic disease. This infection involves immunocompetent and immunosuppressed human and other mammalian hosts, depending on particular circumstances.

Cited by 27 publications

References 52 publications

Of Mycelium and Men: Inherent Human Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases

Of Mycelium and Men: Inherent Human Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases

Epidemiology of Histoplasmosis

Updates on Histoplasmosis in Solid Organ Transplantation

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