Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in Bats from the Brazilian Western Amazon

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Histoplasma capsulatum causes histoplasmosis, a significant systemic fungal infection.
• Bats serve as potential reservoirs, playing a role in the disease's epidemiological cycle.
• The Western Amazon region faces environmental changes that may influence disease emergence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detect Histoplasma capsulatum in bat lung tissue from urban forest fragments in Rio Branco, Acre, Western Amazon.
• To identify bat species acting as reservoirs for H. capsulatum in this region.
• To contribute to understanding fungal disease epidemiology within the One Health framework.

Main Methods:

• Capture of bats from five urban forest fragments.
• Histopathological, mycological, and molecular analyses of lung tissue samples.
• Analysis of samples from 96 bats across 22 species.

Main Results:

• Histoplasma capsulatum was detected in 32.29% (31/96) of the analyzed bats.
• This marks the first detection of H. capsulatum in bats in the Western Amazon.
• The fungus was newly detected in six bat species, expanding knowledge of host range.

Conclusions:

• Bats in Acre, Western Amazon, harbor Histoplasma capsulatum, indicating their role as reservoirs.
• The findings underscore the need for active surveillance of fungal infections in bats, especially given environmental changes.
• Integrated epidemiological research considering the One Health approach is crucial for managing neglected fungal diseases.