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. 2018 Oct;24(10):1835-1839.
doi: 10.3201/eid2410.180032.

Mapping Histoplasma capsulatum Exposure, United States

Mapping Histoplasma capsulatum Exposure, United States

Amelia W Maiga et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

Maps of Histoplasma capsulatum infection prevalence were created 50 years ago; since then, the environment, climate, and anthropogenic land use have changed drastically. Recent outbreaks of acute disease in Montana and Nebraska, USA, suggest shifts in geographic distribution, necessitating updated prevalence maps. To create a weighted overlay geographic suitability model for Histoplasma, we used a geographic information system to combine satellite imagery integrating land cover use (70%), distance to water (20%), and soil pH (10%). We used logistic regression modeling to compare our map with state-level histoplasmosis incidence data from a 5% sample from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. When compared with the state-based Centers data, the predictive accuracy of the suitability score-predicted states with high and mid-to-high histoplasmosis incidence was moderate. Preferred soil environments for Histoplasma have migrated into the upper Missouri River basin. Suitability score mapping may be applicable to other geographically specific infectious vectors.

Keywords: Histoplasma capsulatum; United States; endemic mycoses; fungi; histoplasmosis; mapping; suitability score.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean Histoplasma site suitability score by US ZIP code. Red reflects greater histoplasmosis suitability; green reflects less suitability. The weighted mean score (Table) was calculated for each ZIP code. Data for geographic regions west of the Rocky Mountains are considered insufficient because of limited surface water data.
Figure 2
Figure 2
State-level suitability score compared with histoplasmosis incidence rates, United States. A) State-level suitability score map. B) State-level histoplasmosis incidence rates for 1999–2008 US Medicare and Medicaid data (no. cases/100,000 person-years).

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