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To determine the prevalence of histoplasmosis and paracoccidiomycosis in Upata, a city in Bolívar state, Venezuela.Cutaneous tests on 397 volunteers, 204 with histoplasmine and 193 with paracoccidioidine. Epidemiological data were collected in a protocol sheet. Readings were performed at 24 and 48 h post-injection, by the same observer, and a positive reaction was defined as hardened papule of 5 mm or more.Histoplasmine tests were positive in 19.6% and 34.0% at 24 and 48 h after antigens injection with a significant increase of reactivity (P = 0.0019). Paracoccidiodine tests were positive in 11.3% and 19.7% at 24 and 48 h respectively and this difference was also significant (P = 0.004). Risk factors which could explain these levels of reactivity could not be clearly identified. Cultures and animal inoculation from soil samples for fungus isolation were negative.Paracoccidioidomycoses and histoplasmosis are endemic in Upata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiologic studies of deep mycosis have been scarce in Bolivar state, where paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are considered as endemic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis prevalences in people from a suburb of San Féix, Bolívar state, Venezuela. Three-hundred volunteers agreed to participate in this study and they were inoculated with paracoccidioidine and histoplasmine. Identification and epidemiologic data were registered. Reading of skin tests after 24 hours was performed in 275 persons. Paracoccidioidine test was positive in 10.2% (n=28). A higher percentage of positive reactions in the age group of 40-50 years old (n=10; 35.7%) was observed. Bricklayers, farmers and miners were positive in 27.3% (3 out of 11), a higher percentage than in people with other occupations. Histoplasmine test was positive in 7.6% of cases (n=21). The higher percentage of reactivity was observed in the age group of 40-50 years old (n=9; 42.9%). There was a direct proportional relationship between staying time in the locality and H. capsulatum infection mainly in persons staying in the area for more than 30 years (p < 0.05). These results showed low prevalences of P. brasiliensis and H. capsulatum infection in this area.

Dove's excreta samples from state Bolívar several places in Venezuela, were evaluated to determine the presence of primary pathogen fungi in dove's excreta. Filamentous fungi such as: Aspergillus spp (31.1%), Mucor spp (20.2%), Penicillium spp (9.5%) and Fusarium spp (6.7%) were the most frequently isolated strains. Species such as Candida albicans (4.1%), Cryptococcus albidus and Rhodotorula spp (2.7%), C. neoformans var neoformans (1.4%), Trichosporum asahii (1.4%), Curvularia, Microsporum and Phoma as well as Histoplasma capsulatum (1.3%) were less frecuently isolated. This study shows the presence of C. neoformans and H. capsulatum in dove's excreta from Bolívar state, it remarks infection risk with these pathogens fungi and the necessity to avoid accumulation of dove's excreta.

To estimate the prevalence of mycoses in the Universitary Hospital "Ruiz y Páez" (Bolivar State, Venezuela) during 2002, a retrospective study was carried out. Four hundred and fifty six mycoses were diagnosed in 250,956 patients. The most frequent mycoses, the cutaneous form (94.5%), were produced by dermatophytes, Malassezia furfur and Candida spp. in 90%. Deep mycoses were detected in 4.7% and consisted of histoplasmosis (2.6%), paracoccidioidomycosis (1.7%) and cryptococcosis (0.4%). Several patients with deep mycoses presented HIV infection, tuberculosis and hematological disorders (neoplasias among them). The frequency of mycoses in the general population that attend the Hospital Universitario "Ruiz y Páez" is low, superficial mycoses are predominant, and some conditions seem to predispose to deep mycoses.

Paracoccidiodomycosis and histoplasmosis are endemic diseases in the south of Venezuela, representing a public health problem. Prevalence of Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis and Histoplasma capsulatum infections were estimated in Monte Ralo, a rural community area of Bolivar state using paracoccidiodine and histoplasmine skin tests. Paracoccidiodine was intradermically injected to 173 persons and readings were made at 24 and 48 h afterwards to 167 persons (97.85%). Reaction was positive in 8.5% (n = 14) at 24 h post-injection and 13.2% (n = 20) at 48 h. Farmers showed the higher percentage of positivity at 24 and 48 h. One hundred-seventy five persons were intradermically injected with histoplasmine but 167 and 157 of them attended for reading of the dermal reaction at 24 and 48 h post-injection respectively. Tests were positive in 25.7% (n = 43) at 24 h and 42.7% (n = 67) at 48 h. Further studies are needed in surrounding places to delimit the endemic area of these mycosis in the Bolivar state. However, epidemiological vigilance of PCM and H should be considered by local health authorities.