Amboni Caves, Tanganyika, a New Endemic Area for Histoplasma Capsulatum

Abstract

Summary The endemicity of Histoplasma capsulatum in Tanganyika was established through soil studies. Seven of thirteen soil specimens collected in the Amboni Caves yielded the fungus. The caves harbor a large population of bats. Appropriate tests were carried out to establish the fact that the soil isolates were referable to H. capsulatum and not to Histoplasma duboisii. The occurrence of two forms of histoplasmosis is discussed and all reported cases tabulated.