H. capsulatum is a fungal pathogen that affects a wide range of mammal species, including the human. Autochthonous clinical cases have been reported between the latitudes 54° 05′ North (Alberta, Canada) and 38° South (Neuquén, Argentina) [1, 2]. The disease associated with this fungus is relevant in the geographical areas where histoplasmosis is endemic or epidemic, such

as the Missouri, Ohio, and Mississippi river valleys, in the United States of America MEK inhibitor clinical trial (USA), and some Latin American countries with a high frequency of outbreaks [3, 4]. In Mexico, histoplasmosis is widely distributed and case reports are rather variable [4]. Infection is caused by the inhalation

of fungal saprobe mycelial-phase propagules (infective form) that develop in special environments and are mainly found in bat guano accumulated in confined spaces such as caves and abandoned mines and buildings. The potential role of bats in spreading H. capsulatum in nature remains unclear. The high risk of natural bat infection with this fungus in Mexican caves has been well-documented [5–8]. According to their genetic diversities, H. capsulatum isolates from different geographical origins have been grouped into eight clades; seven of which are considered phylogenetic species. Among these, highlight the LAm A clade that harbours significant genetic variability Selleckchem MAPK inhibitor [9]. The genus Pneumocystis contains highly diversified fungal pathogens that are harboured by a wide range of mammal hosts [10–16]. Pneumocystis organisms, which are transmitted via host-to-host airborne route, have a marked host-species-related ZD1839 purchase diversity that is associated with close host specificity. The high divergence

among Pneumocystis species most likely resulted from a prolonged process of co-evolution with each mammal host, mostly associated with co-speciation, as suggested by Demanche et al. [12] and Hugot et al. [13]. Although most phenotypic and genotypic data supporting Pneumocystis stenoxenism derives from Selleckchem Brigatinib laboratory animal models or captive animals, reports about Pneumocystis prevalence and circulation in wild fauna are scarce [12–16]. Unpublished preliminary data by our team revealed H. capsulatum and Pneumocystis co-infection in two randomly captured bats, identifying these mammals as probable reservoirs and dispersers of both parasites in nature (Dei-Cas E and Taylor ML, comm. pers.). The study of co-infection systems, where the host (i.e. a wild host) usually harbours two or multiple parasites, requires an in-depth investigation to determine a comprehensive understanding of this multi-infectious process in regards to its dynamics and consequences. H.