Histoplasma Capsulatum

Histoplasma capsulatum is a fungus found in soil contaminated with bird and bat droppings. It is the cause of the disease histoplasmosis, which is an important infectious disease in countries where the fungus is endemic. Symptoms of the disease vary greatly depending on the amount of fungus present in the body and may range from mild respiratory illness to severe pneumonia. Histoplasmosis can be treated with antifungal medications, but the disease can be prevented by avoiding contact with the soil in contaminated areas. As an important human pathogen, Histoplasma capsulatum has been the subject of numerous studies and is also used in a number of research applications.