New records of Histoplasma capsulatum from wild animals in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Twenty-eight isolates of Histoplasma capsulatum were obtained from eight species of forest mammals from the States of Amazonas, Pará and Rondônia in the Amazon Region of Brazil. Primary isolates were obtained by inoculating triturated liver and spleen tissue intradermally and intraperitoneally in hamsters. Mycological diagnosis in hamsters presenting lesions was confirmed by histopathology and culture on Sabouraud dextrose-agar. Infected hamsters developed signs of disease within two to nine months; all had disseminated visceral lesions and most also had skin lesions at the sites of inoculation. None of the hamsters inoculated with skin macerates of the original hosts developed histoplasmosis, and histopathological examination of the viscera of the wild hosts failed to reveal H. capsulatum. Prevalence of infection was considerably higher in females than in males both for the opossum Didelphis marsupialis and for total wild animals (479) examined. It is proposed that canopy-dwelling mammals may acquire the infection from conidia borne on convective currents in hollow trees with openings at ground-level.

The occurrence of histoplasmosis in Brazil: A systematic review

“…In the state of Amapá, although a high index of skin test reactivity was observed, no cases of human histoplasmosis or environmental isolation were reported. In Rondônia, besides the isolation and identification by culture of H. capsulatum in five wild animals (Naiff et al, 1996), at least 15 persons displayed a positive serological test for histoplasmosis (double immunodiffusion) as performed by our group at the National Reference Laboratory for Systemic Mycoses. In Roraima, we have also diagnosed at least one case of probable histoplasmosis through the detection of antibodies in a serum sample (unpublished data).…”

Revisionary Notes on Neotropical Porcupines (Rodentia: Erethizontidae). 2. A Review of the Coendou vestitus Group with Descriptions of Two New Species from Amazonia

“…REMARKS: Three specimens (two males and one female) collected at the Samuel hydroelectric dam site (49 km E of Porto Velho on BR 364) were identified by Naiff et al (1996) as the ''Black dwarf porcupine'' of Emmons (1990: 199), a taxon that is technically known as Coendou nycthemera Olfers (see Voss and Angermann [1997], who explain that C. koopmani Handley and Pine is a junior synonym). One of those specimens (the female, INPA 677) is a paratype of C. roosmalenorum, but the whereabouts of the two male specimens is unknown.…”

Molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in insectivorous and frugivorous bats in Southeastern Brazil

“…H. capsulatum has been described in different wild animals. 2,[6][7][8] Bats become infected by inhalation, and the fungus may be disseminated systemically, including also to intestines. Once in feces, the fungus may be released to environment.…”