Which workers are most at risk for contracting histoplasmosis?

Roof demolition workers are most at risk for contracting histoplasmosis due to the nature of their work environment, which often involves disturbing areas where bird or bat droppings may be present. Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by inhaling spores from the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which thrives in environments rich in organic materials, such as soil contaminated with these droppings.

When roof demolition workers remove old materials, they can inadvertently create dust that contains these spores, increasing their risk of inhalation. This occupational hazard is particularly acute if they are working in older buildings or structures where such contaminants might accumulate.

In contrast, the other groups identified—construction workers, office workers, and electrical workers—are generally not as directly exposed to environments where the spores of Histoplasma are prevalent, especially if their work does not involve disturbing potentially contaminated materials.