Phylogenetic analysis of Histoplasma capsulatum var duboisii in baboons from archived formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues

Hensel, Martha E.; Hoffmann, Aline Rodrigues; Gonzales, Mónica; Owston, Michael A.; Dick, Edward J.

doi:10.1093/mmy/myy003

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…However, recent genetic studies challenge this classification and renders it phylogenetically insignificant. Findings from these studies show that the Histoplasma genus contains at least 4 phylogenetic species including an African species that contained capsulatum , duboisii , and farciminosum strains [ 92 – 96 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Histoplasmosis in Africa: Current perspectives, knowledge gaps, and research priorities

et al. 2022

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Background Histoplasmosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. The 2 variants Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum (Hcc) and Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (Hcd) causes infection in humans and commonly termed classical or American histoplasmosis and African histoplasmosis, respectively. Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (Hcf) affects equines. In recent times, there have been heightened sensitization on fungal infections such as histoplasmosis in Africa, aimed at improving awareness among relevant stakeholders, particularly healthcare workers. This effort is expected to be paralleled with increased detection of both classical and African histoplasmosis, which has remained underdiagnosed over the years. In this narrative review, we describe the current perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest research priorities. Methods A PubMed, Google Scholar, and Africa Journal Online (AJOL) literature search was conducted for studies on histoplasmosis in Africa between 2000 and 2020. Histoplasmosis essays in medical mycology textbooks were also consulted. This narrative review was prepared from the data gathered. Findings In the past 2 decades, histoplasmosis in general has seen a relative increase in case detection in some Africa countries, probably attributable to the gradually increasing medical mycology advocacy efforts in Africa. Histoplasmosis cases are dominated by African histoplasmosis mostly in Western and Central Africa, while classical histoplasmosis is more common in Southern and Northern Africa. Although both classical and African histoplasmosis are common in Africa, the latter is more restricted to Africa, and cases outside the continent usually have a travel history to the continent. Despite the clinical and laboratory difference between African histoplasmosis and classical histoplasmosis, it is not straightforward to distinguish them. The typical manifestation of African histoplasmosis is the appearance of lesions affecting the skin, bones, and lymph nodes and unusually linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. By contrast, classical histoplasmosis mostly affects the lungs and is often associated with immunosuppression, mainly HIV/AIDS. The present perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa highlight unclear details on the true burden, strain diversity, infection route and genetic basis of African histoplasmosis, availability of specie-specific diagnostic tools, and compliance with recommended antifungal therapy. These knowledge gaps represent research questions that require scientific exploration. Conclusions Despite a subtle increase in identifying histoplasmosis cases in Africa, it remains underdiagnosed and neglected in some parts of the continent. Increasing awareness and training among healthcare workers, bridging diagnostic and therapeutic gaps, and encouraging more research in Africa are crucial to improve the current perspectives of histoplasmosis in Africa.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Africa, high prevalence of equine histoplasmosis is commonly reported in Ethiopia [ 97 ]. Although human to animal or animal to animal transmission is not established, a recent case has been attributed to the occurrence of histoplasmosis caused by Hcd in a baboon in America due to the importation of baboons from Senegal [ 96 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histoplasmosis in Africa: Current perspectives, knowledge gaps, and research priorities

et al. 2022

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“…In Ethiopia, an African nation, equine histoplasmosis has been extensively reported [14]. A recent case of histoplasmosis associated with Hcd in a baboon in America has been related to the import of baboons from Senegal [15]. Still, there is lack of evidence for either human-to-human or animal-to-animal transmission.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology and Knowledge Gap of Histoplasmosis in Africa

Kiiza Njovu,

Petra Nalumaga,

Kassaza

et al. 2023

Infectious Diseases

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A dimorphic fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum is the cause of the granulomatous disease known as histoplasmosis. Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum (Hcc) and Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (Hcd), 2 variants of this fungus can infect humans and cause, classical or American histoplasmosis and African histoplasmosis, respectively. To improve the knowledge of health professionals, awareness of most fungal diseases, such as histoplasmosis, has been increased in Africa. In this review, we provide an overview of the current status of histoplasmosis in Africa, identify information gaps, and suggest targets for further study. The histoplasmosis literature in medical mycology textbooks and published articles from Google Scholar on histoplasmosis in Africa and the rest of the world were searched and reviewed. There was no restriction on the year of publications Conclusions were drawn from this review. Whereas the Western world has advanced technologies to diagnose histoplasmosis, this is not the case in Africa. Pulmonary histoplasmosis is therefore usually misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis because it has a similar clinical presentation. Due to a lack of knowledge and diagnostic tools, most national health systems in Africa are unable to correctly diagnose histoplasmosis, leading to misdiagnosis of the disease despite the fact that the continent has a sizable population of HIV/AIDS patients who are susceptible to contracting the illness. Under-recognition and under-diagnosis remain key issues caused by the lack of competent workers and diagnostic facilities. Therefore, this issue must be addressed by coordinated efforts. Also, it is crucial for doctors practicing outside of endemic areas to understand this illness’ symptoms and treatment options. This is especially significant in light of African migration patterns.

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“…The variety capsulatum causes classical histoplasmosis in humans, and its highest occurrence is in the Americas. The variety duboisii causes histoplasmosis in humans and non-human primates, particularly in Central and Western Africa [11,12], while the variety farciminosum causes granulomatous alterations or ulcerated lesions in the skin and mucous membranes of dogs in Japan [13], and epizootic lymphangitis in equids in Europe, Africa, and Asia [9,14]. Nowadays, phylogenetic studies have revealed extensive genetic diversity, and new phylogenetic species/lineages have been proposed in the Histoplasma complex [15][16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the importance of this disease for public health, it is not a notifiable disease; therefore, epidemiological data are scarce and the occurrence is underestimated in different Brazilian regions [26,[29][30][31]. In addition to human cases, histoplasmosis has been diagnosed in dogs [32], cats [33], equines [3], birds [8], and rabbits [4], while asymptomatic infection has been reported in bats, marsupials, rodents, xenarthras, and nonhuman primates [7,11,34,35].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in Small Wild Mammals, Dogs, and Cats from Areas of Remaining Forest in the Brazilian Amazon

de Farias,

Leite Barros,

Sampaio-Júnior

et al. 2023

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

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Histoplasma capsulatum is the etiological agent of histoplasmosis, which can infect birds and different mammal species, including humans. In Brazil, the disease is not notifiable, and little is known about its infection in domestic and wild mammals. This study aimed to perform the molecular detection of H. capsulatum in small wild mammals from peri-urban forest remnants and in dogs and cats peri-domiciled in rural communities adjacent to these fragments in the Pará State, Brazilian Amazon. Samples of lung, liver, and skin were collected from free-living rats and marsupials captured in three peri-urban forest patches, as well as blood and skin from dogs and cats. H. capsulatum DNA was detected by nested PCR amplification, with products sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. H. capsulatum DNA was detected in 9.5% (12/126) of small wild mammals, with rats having a higher frequency of positive animals (25.6%; 10/39) when compared to marsupials (2.3%; 2/87) ( p = 0.0001 ). The frequencies of positive dogs and cats were 1.6% (2/121) and 5.5% (1/18), respectively. A higher frequency of infection by H. capsulatum was observed among small wild mammals when compared to dogs and cats ( p = 0.0143 ). In conclusion, H. capsulatum infection occurs in rats, marsupials, dogs, and cats in the Brazilian Amazon, with rats being important sentinels of the presence of this fungus in areas of remaining forest.

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Phylogenetic analysis of Histoplasma capsulatum var duboisii in baboons from archived formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues

Cited by 4 publications

References 13 publications

Histoplasmosis in Africa: Current perspectives, knowledge gaps, and research priorities

Histoplasmosis in Africa: Current perspectives, knowledge gaps, and research priorities

Epidemiology and Knowledge Gap of Histoplasmosis in Africa

Molecular Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in Small Wild Mammals, Dogs, and Cats from Areas of Remaining Forest in the Brazilian Amazon

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