Which statement BEST describes Histoplasma habitat?

• A. In water
• B. In soil with animal droppings
• C. In metal surfaces
• D. In dry air

Answer: (B)

Histoplasma capsulatum is a fungus that thrives in soil enriched with nutrients from bird or bat droppings. Moist, nitrogen-rich soil where droppings accumulate provides the environment these organisms need to grow and release spores that can become airborne when the soil is disturbed. This is why soil with animal droppings is the best description of its habitat. It isn’t typically found in water, on metal surfaces, or in dry air, since those conditions don’t provide the nutrient-rich, moist substrate Histoplasma requires and dry environments reduce its viability.