Molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum indoors: A public health approach.

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.