Abstract |
The aim of the study presented here was to assess the incidence of histoplasma infection in a cohort of 342 individuals in Spain who had traveled to Latin America for the first time. The histoplasmin skin test was positive in 20% of the travelers, and Central America posed a higher risk for infection than South America (p=0.013). Sleeping outdoors (p=0.031) and the duration of travel (p=0.016) were also identified as significant risk factors. Serological testing demonstrated poor overall sensitivity for detecting infection in the travelers, but for the symptomatic acute cases the results were improved. Histoplasmosis must be considered in patients presenting with fever (odds ratio=3.51 [1.52-8.12]) or cough (odds ratio=4.24 [1.32-13.58]) after visiting Latin America. The results of this study have public health implications and indicate the risks of acquiring histoplasmosis should be included in pre-travel counseling.
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Authors | J Gascón, J M Torres, M Jiménez, T Mejias, L Triviño, F Gobbi, L Quintó, J Puig, M Corachan |
Journal | European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
(Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis)
Vol. 24
Issue 12
Pg. 839-41
(Dec 2005)
ISSN: 0934-9723 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 16315009
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Histoplasmin
(analysis)
- Histoplasmosis
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
- Humans
- Immunodiffusion
(methods)
- Incidence
- Latex Fixation Tests
(methods)
- Latin America
- Male
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Skin Tests
- Spain
(epidemiology)
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Travel
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