Abstract
In areas where Histoplasma is endemic in the environment, occupations involving activities exposing workers to soil that contains bird or bat droppings may pose a risk for histoplasmosis. Occupational exposures are frequently implicated in histoplasmosis outbreaks. In this paper, we review the literature on occupationally acquired histoplasmosis. We describe the epidemiology, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls.
Highlights
We review the literature on occupationally acquired histoplasmosis
We describe the epidemiology in the United States, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls
In areas where Histoplasma is endemic in the environment, occupations involving activities exposing workers to soil that contains bird or bat droppings may pose a risk for histoplasmosis
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by inhalation of conidia of the fungus Histoplasma. Abiotic or biotic disturbance to H. capsulatum colonies during occupational activities may result in the aerosolization and potential inhalation of microconidia by the worker [8]. Capsulatum has a nearly worldwide distribution but appears to be most common in the central and eastern United States, around the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys [10]. People in these areas are at risk for inhaling Histoplasma from the environment, especially those who have occupations or participate in activities exposing them to soil that contains bird or bat droppings [11]. We describe the epidemiology in the United States, occupational risk factors, and prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls
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