Wednesday 19 November 2008

Histoplasma capsulatum:

Dimorphic Fungus


Histoplasma
is a thermally dimorphic fungus found in nature. Soil contaminated with bird droppings or excrements of bats is the common natural habitat for Histoplasma. Although it is claimed to exist worldwide, tropical areas are where this fungus is more frequently encountered. Histoplasma capsulatum is the causative agent of a systemic mycosis called histoplasmosis. The spectrum of the disease varies from an acute benign pulmonary infection to a chronic pulmonary or fatal disseminated disease. Inoculation is primarily through inhalation.

For definitive identification of the fungus, (>35C) yeast-to-mould (<35c). style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);" size="4">