Histoplasma capsulatum and its virulence determinants

The pathologist Samuel Taylor Darling discovered in 1905 a new disease caused by apreviously not described microrganism that he named Histoplasma capsulatum based on an archaicterm for macrophages (Histo), its resemblance to protozoan parasites (plasma), and the apparentpresence of a surrounding capsule (capsulatum). However, it turned out that it was a fungus and notencapsulated. In the last few decades, fungal infections have become more widespread due to the AIDSepidemic end to the increase in immune compromised state of patients under chemotherapic treatment,extensive use of antibiotics and organ transplants. In parallel with the developments of molecularbiology tools, our knowledge of the mechanism of virulence and host-parasite interactions have alsoincreased significantly. This chapter will highlight the major findings in these areas of investigationfocusing on the biology of the virulence determinants of H.capsulatum. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers. All rights reserved.