Endemic Mycoses on the African Continent

The review of the current microbiological, epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of some endemic mycoses (histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, emergomycosis) found on the African continent is brought forward. Other endemic mycoses (coccidioidomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, talaromycosis) have not been described in Africa and can only be imported. Histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum is widespread in the world, but Africa is the only continent where two variants coexist – H. capsulatum and H. duboisii . The latter is the causative agent of the disease called “african histoplasmosis”. Disseminated forms of histoplasmosis are diagnosed in 5–20 % of HIV-infected individuals. African cases of blastomycosis are caused predominantly by Blastomyces percursus and B. emzantsi species , which differ significantly from the etiologic agents of this disease in North America ( B. dermatitidis and B. gilchristii ). The number of diagnosed cases of endemic mycoses in Africa has increased significantly in the last decade, which may be due to a new disease, emergomycosis. One of the etiologic agents of this mycosis is the dimorphic fungus Emergomyces africanus . Laboratory diagnostics of endemic mycoses in most African countries is limited due to the lack of experienced personnel and advanced test systems.