Molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum indoors: A public health approach

Abstract

Background: Histoplasmosis, caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, represents an important public health problem, especially in urban environments where bats and humans cohabit indoors.

Aims: To detect the presence of H. capsulatum indoors, using samples of bat droppings collected in roost sites inside houses.

Methods: A Real-Time TaqMan PCR assay targeting the ITS1 region of the ribosomal DNA of H. capsulatum was carried out.

Results: Fifty-nine sampling points in the municipality of São Paulo were inspected, all of them located at inhabited places. H. capsulatum was isolated from nine samples.

Conclusions: The rapid identification and monitoring of sites where the fungus is present may contribute to make a more reliable database of H. capsulatum distribution.

Keywords: Bats; Histoplasmosis; Indoors; Interiores; Murciélagos; Surveillance; Vigilancia; qPCR.