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Mapping Histoplasma spp. in bats and cave ecosystems: evidence from midwestern Brazil

Summary

Researchers studied caves in Brazil to find where a fungus called Histoplasma that causes histoplasmosis disease is located. They tested soil from caves and tested bats that live in these caves. They found the fungus in about 20% of cave soil samples and in one-third of the bats tested. Multiple bat species were carriers of the fungus, and researchers even found it in bat brains for the first time.

Background

Caves are natural reservoirs for diverse microbial species including Histoplasma spp., a dimorphic fungus responsible for histoplasmosis. Brazil contains numerous caves particularly in Goiás, Minas Gerais, and the Federal District, with high risk of exposure to Histoplasma among cave visitors and researchers.

Objective

To identify the distribution of Histoplasma spp. in cave environments and bat hosts in the Federal District of Brazil and surrounding regions using qPCR targeting the hc100 gene.

Results

Histoplasma DNA detected in 20% of soil samples (16/80) from six of eight caves, with positivity rates ranging from 11-60% among caves. In bats, 33 of 74 individuals tested positive (39/222 tissue samples positive: 22 lung, 10 spleen, 7 brain). Seven bat species confirmed as natural hosts with lung tissue showing highest positivity.

Conclusion

Study confirms Histoplasma spp. is endemic in midwestern Brazil cave ecosystems and multiple bat species. Findings identify environmental hotspots of fungal prevalence and emphasize need for targeted surveillance and public health interventions for cave visitors in high-risk regions.
  • Published in:Applied and Environmental Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Molecular epidemiological field study,
  • Source: 10.1128/aem.00335-25, PMID: 40793772
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