Ophanet, who are a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when if affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Histoplasmosis as a "rare disease". More information about Histoplasmosis is available from Orphanet
Approx. 80% of population living in areas with endemic disease is skin-test positive. Of HIV-infected persons in these areas, 10% - 25% develop disseminated histoplasmosis. (Source: excerpt from Histoplasmosis: DBMD)
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H. capsulatum is found in the feces of birds and bats or in soil contaminated by their feces, such as that near roosts, chicken coops, barns, caves, or underneath bridges. Transmission occurs through inhalation of H. capsulatum or H. duboisii spores or through the invasion of spores after minor skin trauma. Possibly, oral ingestion of spores may cause the disease.
The incubation period is from 5 to 18 days, although chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis may progress slowly for many years. Probably because of occupational exposure, histoplasmosis is more common in adult males. Fatal disseminated disease, however, is more common in infants and elderly men.
Histoplasmosis occurs worldwide, especially in the temperate areas of Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America. In the United States, it's most prevalent in the central and eastern states, especially in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Severity of symptoms depends on immunologic status of the host and size of inoculum:
80–90% of adults in endemic areas are skin test– positive
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
The term 'prevalence' of Histoplasmosis usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Histoplasmosis at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Histoplasmosis refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Histoplasmosis diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.
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