[Endemic fungal pathogens in a rural setting of Argentina: seroepidemiological study in dogs].
BACKGROUND
Three fungal species causing human disease, namely Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Histoplasma capsulatum and Coccidioides sp., are endemic in different areas of Argentina. Rates of infection in domestic dogs have been used in other Latin American countries as indicators of the presence of these pathogens in a given area. We used such an approach to investigate the epidemiological relevance of paracoccidiodomycosis, histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis in our country.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence of P. brasiliensis, H. capsulatum and Coccidioides sp. in a rural area of Argentina called Interfluvio Teuco-Bermejito, located in Chaco province.


METHODS
We applied Western Blotting to determine the presence of specific antibodies in sera from 89 domestic dogs inhabiting the area. Antibodies against the following extra-cellular fungal antigens were investigated: gP43 of P. brasiliensis, H/M of H. capsulatum and 120, 82 and 48kDa antigen bands of Coccidioides sp.


RESULTS
Specific antibodies against H. capsulatum were found in 9/89 (10%) sera: 8 reacted against both H and M antigens and 1 only reacted against antigen M. Of these 9 sera, one showed additional anti-gp43 activity and another reacted against all the fungal antigens tested.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study using dog infection to assess the presence of endemic fungal pathogens in Argentina. Our results suggest that H. capsulatum is the main dimorphic fungal pathogen in the Interfluvio Teuco-Bermejito area. Therefore, the diagnosis of histoplasmosis should be taken into account in patients living in this geographic region who show pulmonary or mucocutaneous symptoms compatible with the disease.
Canteros
Cristina Elena
CE
Departamento Micología, INEI, ANLIS Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ccanteros@anlis.gov.ar
Madariaga
María Julia
MJ
Lee
William
W
Rivas
María Cristina
MC
Davel
Graciela
G
Iachini
Ricardo
R
D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000276:immunology*; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000276:immunology*; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal