Histoplasmosis in the eastern Caribbean: a preliminary survey of the incidence of the infection.

Abstract

A preliminary survey of the incidence of histoplasmosis in the eastern Caribbean was carried out. The percentages of positive histoplasmin skin test reactors in the populations studied were as follows: Barbados (4%), Trinidad (42%) and Guyana (29%). In Trinidad 69% of individuals under 60 had positive test. However a lower proportion (4%) had serological evidence of past infection with Histoplasma capsulatum. The organism was not isolated from the soil although it had been found previously in Trinidad. On this island five previously diagnosed cases of histoplasmosis were identified. The study confirmed the presence of the infection in the area and further investigations are suggested.