Indiana Students May Have been Infected by Histoplasma capsulatum

Cinnaminson, NJ, December 3, 2012

Last month, WISH reported that multiple students from an Indiana High School may have come down with histoplasmosis. The students, members of the Shelbyville Student Council, and the National Honor Society, are believed to have come in contact with the fungus that causes the infection when they helped to clear out an old barn for a school fundraiser.

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. H. capsulatum grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Contaminated soil can be potentially infectious for years. Breathing the spores causes the infection. Spores can become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed, such as during cleaning activities, construction or renovations.

Histoplasma capsulatum is found throughout the world and is endemic in certain areas of the United States, primarily the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. The fungus has been found in poultry house litter, caves, areas harboring bats such as attics, and in bird roosts.

“Histoplasmosis symptoms vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Infants, young children, the elderly, and in particular those with chronic lung disease are at increased risk for severe infections. EMSL Analytical has harnessed the power of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) to identify this microbial pathogen. This is an exceptionally fast, accurate, sensitive and specific alternative analysis that has many advantages over traditional microbiological methods. Results can be ready in as short as a few hours.”

EMSL has sponsored an educational video about Histoplasma capsulatum and histoplasmosis that can be seen at:

http://youtu.be/z3PJzOwcGeETo learn more about testing for Histoplasma capsulatum other microbial pathogens and contaminants, please contact EMSL Analytical at www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com