Histoplasma — Culture and Identification

This page provides testing information for Histoplasmosis at Public Health Ontario (PHO). The causative agent(s) of Histoplasmosis is Histoplasma capsulatum.

The following testing options are available for Histoplasmosis:

1. Fungal culture
   If sending a specimen to PHO requesting for isolation, culture and identification of Histoplasma, please refer to testing information: Mycology — Fungal Culture – Systemic.
   
   
2. Culture confirmation
   If sending a cultured isolated, suspected as Histoplasma to PHO to confirm identification, please refer to testing information: Mycology — Reference Identification of Yeast, Filamentous Fungi and Nocardia/Aerobic Actinomycetes.
   
   
3. Serology  
   If sending blood sample (serum) to PHO for investigation of serologic evidence of Histoplasma infection, please refer to testing information: Histoplasma — Serology.

About Histoplasmosis

• Geographic distribution: Histoplasma capsulatum is endemic to many parts of North and Central America, particularly the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys in the United States but cases may occur worldwide.


• Transmission: Infection is acquired through the inhalation of airborne spores released when contaminated soil or organic material is disturbed. 


• Symptoms: Most infections are asymptomatic and self-limited, however severe disease can occur in immunocompromised populations.


• Risk factors: Risk factors include exposure to soils that are high in nitrogen, bird or bat droppings (cave exploration, demolition, construction, farming, poultry work).