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. 2023 Jun 5;61(6):myad055.
doi: 10.1093/mmy/myad055.

Evidence of anti-Hcp100 antibodies in COVID-19 critically ill patients with detectable anti-histoplasmin antibodies in a highly endemic area for histoplasmosis

María A Toscanini  1   2 , Fernanda Barberis  3 , Fernanda Benedetti  4 , Carolina Rodríguez Laboccetta  1   2 , Agustín Videla Garrido  2 , Víctor Fernández Briceño  1   2 , Gladys B Posse  5 , Paula Capece  5 , Alejandro D Nusblat  1 , María L Cuestas  2
Affiliations

Evidence of anti-Hcp100 antibodies in COVID-19 critically ill patients with detectable anti-histoplasmin antibodies in a highly endemic area for histoplasmosis

María A Toscanini et al. Med Mycol. .

Abstract

Patients with severe COVID-19 are at increased risk for invasive fungal infections, which are underestimated. Histoplasmosis reactivation in endemic areas should not be overlooked in this population. In a previous study, seroconversion to anti-histoplasmin antibodies by ELISA was detected in 6/39 (15.4%) patients with severe COVID-19. In this work, samples were further investigated to detect seroconversion to antibodies against the Histoplasma capsulatum 100-kDa antigen (Hcp100) by ELISA. Seroconversion to anti-Hcp100 antibodies was detected in 7/39 patients, of whom 6 also seroconverted anti-histoplasmin antibodies. These results reinforce previous findings that show histoplasmosis as an underdiagnosed fungal entity complicating COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19-associated mycoses; SARS-CoV-2; anti-Hcp100 antibodies; histoplasmosis; severe respiratory failure.

Plain language summary

This study verifies that patients with severe COVID-19 at intensive care units are at risk for histoplasmosis reactivation in endemic areas. Accurate diagnosis of this deadly fungal disease among critically ill patients with COVID-19 living in endemic areas for histoplasmosis is needed.

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