HISTOPLASMA CAPSULATUM Causative organism of Histoplasmosis
	Histoplasma capsulatum conidia Image kindly supplied by Tom Volk of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Tom Volks Fungi	Histoplasma capsulatum yeast Image kindly supplied by Tom Volk of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Tom Volks Fungi
	THE ORGANISM Dimorphic yeast-mold fungus Produces infective conidia - the infective agent in the lungs Yeast phase found throughout infection in body Bats are naturally infected with Histoplasma, often having intestinal lesions grows as a mold in nature or when cultured at room temperature but converts to a small (1 to 5 µm in diameter) yeast cell at 37° C (98.6° F) and when invading host cells.
	WHERE IS IT FOUND? It is a saphrotroph found in warm moist soil contaminated with bird droppings e.g. chicken coops, caves, old buildings and nesting areas The spores produced become airborne when the soil dries and is disturbed Found throughout the world, endemic in some parts of the US and Asia
	Histoplasmosis Back to Systemic Mycoses Main Mycoses Menu