Note the histopathologic changes seen in histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum using methenamine silver stain. Photo by Libero Ajello

This genome was sequenced by the Broad Institute.

Histoplasma capsulatum is the most common cause of fungal respiratory infections (histoplasmosis) in the world. While most infections are mild, 10% of cases result in life-threatening complications such as inflammation of the pericardium and fibrosis of major blood vessels (Durkin, Kohler et al., 2001). In addition, some African H. capsulatum isolates cause a distinct disease, African histoplasmosis, that is characterized by cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions in the bone (Jones and Goodwin., 1981). Once infected, a latent infection may be reactivated. Histoplasma poses a particular threat to the elderly and to immunocompromised patients (Rachid, Rezende et al. 2003).