Molecular typing of Histoplasma capsulatum isolated from infected bats, captured in Mexico

The present paper represents data on the genetic polymorphism of 13 Histopl asma capsulatum isolates recovered from infected bats randomly captured in the Mexican states of Morelos, Puebla, and Oaxaca, The polymorphic DNA patt erns were analyzed by two-primer RAPD-PCR (random amplified polymorphic DNA -polymerase chain reaction) method. To amplify the fungal genome by PCR, th e following primer arrangements were used: 5'-AACGCGCAAC-3' and 5'-AAGAGCCC GT-3'; 5'-AACGCGCAAC-3' and 5'-GTTTCCGCCC-3'; or 5'-AACGCGCAAC-3' and 5'-GC GATCCCCA-3'. A common polymorphic DNA pattern of H. capsulatum was revealed in different assays, This pattern is shared by 7 H. capsulatum isolates re covered from different specimens of nonmigratory bats (Artibeus hirsutus) c aptured in a cave in Morelos, by 5 isolates recovered from infected migrato ry bats (Leptonycteris nivalis) captured in Morelos and Puebla, and by 1 is olate from another migratory bat (L. curasoae) captured in Oaxaca. This pol ymorphic DNA pattern of H. capsulatum could represent fungal markers for th e geographic areas studied, and considering its distribution in three diffe rent states of the Mexican Republic, the role of bats as responsible for H. capsulatum spreading in nature, in relation to their movements and migrati ons besides their shelter habits, is suggested. Analyses of DNA patterns of H. capsulatum isolated from infected bats, from clinical cases, and from b lackbird excreta, have shown a major relatedness between bats and clinical isolates, in contrast to those isolates from bird 'excreta.' (C) 2000 Acade mic Press.