Resumo

MUNOZ, César O; CANO, Luz E  e  GONZALEZ, Angel. Detection and identification of the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum: from conventional to molecular methods. Infect. [online]. 2010, vol.14, suppl.2, pp.s145-s158. ISSN 0123-9392.

Histoplasma capsulatum is the causative agent of histoplasmosis, a systemic and endemic mycosis widely distributed in the Americas. Diagnosis of histoplasmosis is traditionally accomplished by means of direct preparations and biopsies stained by especial methods, as well as by isolation of fungus in culture; the latter is considered the gold standard. Indirect methods, including immunological tests to detect antibodies and/or antigens, are also valuable; both direct and indirect methods present sensitivity and specificity ranges that vary depending on the clinical form of the disease and the immune status of the host. Recently, molecular biology has allowed implementing new tools to detect and identify H. capsulatum, and several molecular tests, such as nested-PCR, are being used for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis, and so provide high sensitivity and specificity values. In addition, these molecular techniques have made it possible to perform evolution analysis, genetic diversity research, and molecular epidemiology, thus compiling valuable information on the genetic variability of this microorganism. In this review, the conventional and molecular methods employed for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis have been described, as have some of the applications of these molecular techniques to this fungal pathogen's epidemiology and molecular biology.

Palavras-chave : Histoplasma capsulatum; Histoplasmosis; Diagnosis; Conventional techniques; Molecular diagnosis.

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