Histoplasmosis pneumonia is caused by inhaling spores of Histoplasma capsulatum spores from soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Is this infection contagious between people?

Histoplasmosis pneumonia is caused by inhaling spores of Histoplasma capsulatum spores from soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Is this infection contagious between people?

• A. Yes, it is contagious between people.
• B. It spreads via droplets.
• C. It is not contagious; infection is caused by inhalation of spores.
• D. It is contagious only in immunocompromised individuals.

Answer: (C)

Histoplasmosis pneumonia is an environmental fungal infection. The disease results from inhaling Histoplasma capsulatum spores that are released from soil rich in bird or bat droppings. Because transmission requires exposure to these environmental spores rather than transfer from an infected person, it is not contagious between people. Droplet spread describes contagious respiratory infections, which Histoplasma does not use. While immunocompromised individuals may experience more severe disease if exposed, that does not create person-to-person contagion. So the infection is not contagious; inhalation of environmental spores is the cause.

Histoplasmosis pneumonia is an environmental fungal infection. The disease results from inhaling Histoplasma capsulatum spores that are released from soil rich in bird or bat droppings. Because transmission requires exposure to these environmental spores rather than transfer from an infected person, it is not contagious between people. Droplet spread describes contagious respiratory infections, which Histoplasma does not use. While immunocompromised individuals may experience more severe disease if exposed, that does not create person-to-person contagion. So the infection is not contagious; inhalation of environmental spores is the cause.