The overall objective of this study was to apply different diagnostic
methods that demonstrate the presence of infection or diseases, specifically
Histoplasmosis and Coccidioidomycosis, in domestic animals as a contribution to
the understanding of mycology in animal health, clinical practice and
epidemiology. Sera were studied and skin tests were performed in pigs, horses,
dogs and cattle in endemic areas of Argentina as a means of diagnosis and to
determine if the fungi of interest were present in the region. Responses to
intradermal reactions develop slowly (24 - 72 hours) after administration of an
allergen, causing erythema and a nodule and serum with Histoplasmosis or
Coccidioidomycosis shows precipitation M and H bands in an agar gel
immunodiffusion (AGID), which indicates infection or lesion activity and is not
influenced by previous intradermal reaction. Two (2) animals were positive for
the skin test, and three (3) were positive for the M band in the AGDI for
Coccidioidomycosis. In the case of Histoplasmosis, twenty-eight (28) animals
were positive for the M band in the AGID and three (3) were positive for the
skin test. The skin test with specific antigens for Coccidioidomycosis and
Histoplasmosis is feasible for use in individual diagnostic studies in cattle,
equines, canines, and in epidemiological surveys of cattle and pigs, according
to the requirements of the this technique for the different species. The use of
AGID as a serological technique for Histoplasmosis and Coccidioidomycosis
proved to be simple, inexpensive, and effective; it was feasible for use for
individual diagnosis in animals with present or past infection and for serological
epidemiology due to the ease of application. This method can to be utilized in
future studies to determine the prevalence and boundaries of endemic areas.