Abstract

Background

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. It lives in the soil that contains large amounts of bird or bat droppings.

Objectives

This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of histoplasmosis among selected residents and bat cave workers living 100–200 meters away from the bat caves in Brgy. Tambo, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal. This study aimed to know the presence of Histoplasma capsulatum in areas contaminated with bat guano and to evaluate the correlation of long term and direct exposure to the prevalence of the infection.

Methods

The method employed was serum antibody detection using Histoplasma ELISA DxSelect enzyme immunoassay.

Result

Results of the study revealed that among the 63 respondents, 15 of those individuals directly exposed to bat guanos have higher rate of prevalence (46.7%) which comprised of 7 individuals positive for H. capsulatum antibodies compared to those 48 respondents which were indirectly exposed have 33.3% prevalence rate which comprised of 6 individuals positive for H.capsulatum antibodies.

Conclusion

From the results obtained, it can be concluded that there is presence of histoplasmosis in the subject area. The researchers recommended health agencies to conduct a close health monitoring to those individuals in higher risk of acquiring the infection and immediate treatment to those already infected.

Details

Title
021: SEROPREVALENCE OF HISTOPLASMA CAPSULATUM INFECTION AMONG THE NEARBY RESIDENTS OF BAT CAVES IN ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, DAVAO DEL NORTE
Author
Marx, Painit Catalan; Anna Dominique Monreal Margas; Aprilyn Ferrer Francisco
First page
bmjopen-2015-forum2015abstracts.21
Section
Forum 2015 Abstracts
Publication year
2015
Publication date
2015
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
e-ISSN
20446055
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2670389610
Copyright
Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions 2015 This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.