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EPIDEMIOLOGIC SURVEYS OF HISTOPLASMIN AND PARACOCCIDIOIDIN SENSITIVITY IN BRAZIL

We report here the results obtained in epidemiologic surveys of histoplasmosis and paracoccidioidomycosis carried out in Brazil using the histoplasmin and paracoccidioidin delayed hypersensitivity skin tests. Most of these data have not been previously published in scientific journals and are now reported here in two tables respectively concerning histoplasmosis (88 surveys) and paracoccidioidomycosis (58 surveys). The guidelines to be followed in surveys of this nature are also commented upon.

Contribution to the epidemiology of paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: Paracoccidioidin and histoplasmin intradermic tests in domestic animals

Bovines, ovines and equines from various counties in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, show a high incidence of paracoccidioidomycosis infection according to the results obtained with intradermic test standardized in experimentally infected bovines: 44·88%, 42·86% and 77·06% respectively for bovines, ovines and equines.The antigen chosen for this study was a suspension of P. brasiliensis yeast cells after extraction of lipidic substances by acetone and ether and extraction of the polysaccharide antigen by autoclavation. The volume used for the intradermic tests was 0·2 ml for the bovines and equines and 0·1 ml for the ovines. These quantities permitted formation of well-defined papules, indicating that the antigen had been correctly injected intradermically.Our results indicate that two readings should be taken, 24 and 48 hours after injection of the antigen. If only one reading is possible, the 24 hours reading is preferable.Positive reaction to the paracoccidioidin test was of the same magnitude in bovine...

Bovine experimental paracoccidioidomycosis intradermic test standardization.

Three intratesticulary inoculated bovines revealed to be susceptible to experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. The experimental infection was self limited with no tendency to dissemination during a follow up period of five months. The histopathologic lesions characterized by granulomatous inflammatory foci, associated or not to necrosis, were found in the testicles, spermatic cords and testicular tunicae. In some of both lesions types the yeast cells of P. brasiliensis were present. The experimental infection did not cure in a follow up period of five months. The immunological response either cellular or humoral were delayed in relation to what happens in other animal species. The three experimentally infected bovines were utilized for some standardization of the paracoccidioidin intradermic test. A type and dose of an antigen which gives a clear reading for the positive tests was determined. The humoral responses were detected mainly by the complement fixation reaction. It was not possible to demonstrate humoral antibodies by the agar immunodiffusion test.