Morcegos (quirópteros) e sua participação no processo epidemiológico da histoplasmose no centro de pesquisa Canguçu, Pium-TO, Brasil

Abstract

Histoplasmosis is a systemic mycosis that can range from an asymptomatic infection to the disseminated, potentially fatal form. Caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, it is treated in a transdisciplinary way, its epidemiology is based on four pillars: biological, social, economic and cultural. This approach allows to understand the complex system of irradiation of the disease in the most diverse environments, being more common in tropical and subtropical countries. The Canguçu Research Center (CPC) is located in the state of Tocantins, in the municipality of Pium in a transition region of the Cerrado / Amazon biomes. The objective of this work was to analyze the participation of frugivore bats in the epidemiological process of dissemination of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum at the Canguçu Research Center, using mist nets and collection of dry and fresh guano type biological material. laboratory culture of the samples in Sabouraud Agar in order to determine the presence of the etiologic agent and the environmental conditions involved in its dissemination and infection. Another relevant point as the focus of the study was the climatic profile of the region and its relation with the samples of the cultures obtained in the laboratory. In the area of the Center, the presence of spores of the fungus was verified, as well as in the gastrointestinal system of the bats of the Carollia perspicillata species. Fifteen percent of the cultures of the dry and fresh guano samples were positivized, demonstrating the need for redoubled care with regulars of the Center, in particular to immunocompromised persons.