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Histoplasma capsulatum isolated from feather pillow associated with histoplasmosis in an infant
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 22, 1962
Abstract:
Feathers from an old baby pillow yielded Histoplasma capsulatum in an epidemiologic study of histoplasmosis in an infant. Efforts to exclude other possible sources of infection, including blood donor and placental transmission, were exhaustive. Although histoplasmosis has long been associated with soils in avian habitats, the feather itself has not been implicated heretofore.
Insights
Feathers from a baby pillow were identified as a source of Histoplasma capsulatum infection in an infant. This finding implicates feathers, not just soil, in the transmission of histoplasmosis.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection primarily associated with soil contaminated by bird or bat droppings.
- The typical transmission route involves inhalation of spores from disturbed soil in endemic areas.
- Previous studies have not identified feathers as a direct source of Histoplasma capsulatum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the source of Histoplasma capsulatum infection in an infant.
- To investigate potential transmission routes beyond typical soil exposure.
- To determine if avian feathers can serve as a reservoir for Histoplasma capsulatum.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiologic investigation of infant histoplasmosis case.
- Environmental sampling, including analysis of materials in the infant's environment.
- Microbiological culture and identification of Histoplasma capsulatum from environmental samples.
Main Results:
- Histoplasma capsulatum was isolated from feathers found on an old baby pillow.
- Exhaustive efforts ruled out other potential sources like blood transfusion or placental transmission.
- This is the first study to implicate feathers as a direct source of Histoplasma capsulatum.
Conclusions:
- Feathers can act as a direct source for Histoplasma capsulatum infection.
- Environmental contamination of indoor materials with fungal spores is a significant risk.
- Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and risk associated with feather-borne Histoplasma capsulatum.
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