Creative Biolabs is a leading service provider in the field of antifungal drug discovery. We have a professional expert team with extensive experience and advance technology platforms to help global customers develop a novel drug against Histoplasma Capsulatum (H. capsulatum). Our service portfolio includes target identification and validation, Hit identification, Hit to lead, Lead optimization, and IND enabling.
The Property of H. Capsulatum
H. capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that can result in a wide range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic through fatal infection. It usually causes a lung disease called histoplasmosis that has three types (chronic cavitary pulmonary histoplasmosis, disseminated histoplasmosis, and acute pulmonary histoplasmosis) according to the symptoms. H. capsulatum is endemic to most of the United States, with particularly high concentrations in the Mississippi, St. Lawrence and Ohio River valleys. The fungus grows in the matter with high nitrogen content, especially bat or bird droppings. At ambient temperatures, H. capsulatum grows in a saprophytic mycelial (mold) form in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed. When spores produced by this fungus are inhaled in, the pathogen grows into the next stage of its life cycle-an encapsulated parasitic yeast. The disease is not transmitted from an infected person to someone else.
Fig.1 H. Capsulatum (Methenamine silver stain).
Pathogenic Mechanism
People are possibly infected with the spores of fungus H. capsulatum through breathing the air suspended by the spores. Upon inhalation of spores, H. capsulatum transforms into the pathogenic yeast phase. This form replicates within macrophages that carry the yeast from lungs to virtually any organ. In general, most people with infections can recover spontaneously, but in some people with compromised immune systems may suffer a high risk of chronic cavitary histoplasmosis dissemination.
Vaccines of H. capsulatum
Vaccines against H. capsulatum are focused on surface glycoproteins termed H and M proteins, cell wall proteins, and heat shock proteins. The immune system seems to be mainly mediated by T helper 1 cell. The particular efficacy of a given vaccine candidate may depend on the rate of infection. For example, H glycoproteins do not prevent systemic H. capsulatum infection but prevent pulmonary infection.
Antifungal Drug Development in Creative Biolabs
Creative Biolabs has years of experience in the antifungal drug discovery. Based on the advanced technology platform and a professional team, we can offer high-quality, personalized, and all-around services of antifungal drug discovery for global clients. Please contact us for more details or a detailed quote.
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