[Histoplasma capsulatum with aberrant morphology isolated in Argentina]

For the first time in Argentina, we describe a strain of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum with an aberrant morphology that was isolated from a single patient with AIDS. Mycelial phase cultures on agar Sabouraud at 25-28 degrees C showed white, glabrous, umbilicated and centrally radiated colonies. Unusual microscopic findings were the absence of typical conidia, the presence of terminal/intercalary chlamydoconidia with a diameter of 4 pm and of thickened hyphae. Fungal identification was confirmed by the detection of bands H and M species specific antigens in mycelial culture supernatants and reversion to the typical yeast phase on agar brain-heart-cysteine at 37 degrees C. The genomic DNA profile obtained by RAPD-PCR with primers 1281-1283 coincided with the predominant profile of H. capsulatum among isolates from Argentine patients.