[Cutaneous sensitivity to histoplasmin in a Martinique hospitalized population].

OBJECTIVE

Histoplasma capsulatum infection is considered to be endemic in the West Indies. Nevertheless, few epidemiologic studies have been conducted in this area. The histoplasmin skin test reflects the frequency of asymptomatic forms of histoplasmosis. We studied the prevalence of positive skin tests in a population of the French West Indies (Martinique).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty one patients (24 females and 17 males), age range 29 to 90 years, were tested for histoplasmin skin sensitivity between August and October 1997, in the department of dermatology of Fort de France (French West Indies). Patients with immunosuppression or personal history of histoplasmosis were excluded.

RESULTS

Five patients had a positive skin test (12 p. 100). No significative association was found between a positive skin test and diabetes, rural occupations or exposure to bats.

DISCUSSION

Despite the small number of cases, related with difficulties in obtaining histoplasmin, our study showed a sensitivity level similar to medium endemic areas of the USA. The positive skin test rate is much higher than the rate reported before in West Indies, in a sample of the population under 25 years of age.