Blastomycosis  Facts

What is Blastomycosis?

Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the fungus Blastomycoses dermatitidis. 

 

Where is it found?

In North America, Blastomycosis is most commonly found in the central and southeastern United States. Blastomycosis extends across northern Wisconsin, northern Minnesota, and into adjacent areas of south-central Canada. 

 

Symptoms

It is reported that no symptoms occur in at least 50% of infected individuals. However, individuals may develop acute or chronic pulmonary disease, and/or disseminated disease, most commonly affecting the skin, bones, and genitourinary system. Symptoms may be pneumonia-like with fever, chills, sweating, cough, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, chest pain, and weight loss. Because of the tremendous variation in symptoms, blastomycosis is quite often misdiagnosed as some other infection. The incubation period is Indefinite; probably a few weeks to months. 

Prevention

Blastomycosis is almost always acquired by inhaling the fungus. Current evidence suggests that fungal growth occurs in nitrogen-rich soil close to streams, rivers, and lakes. Fungal growth is facilitated by rapidly increasing soil temperatures. Aerosolization of the fungus is facilitated by rain on the day of exposure and by excavation or other disturbance of a site with contaminated soil.  

 

Blastomycosis is most common in adult males with heavy vocational and/or recreational exposure to woods and streams (and also in hunting dogs owned by these same individuals). A person with blastomycosis cannot transmit the illness to another person.   

 

Diagnosis

Radiographic advances and the introduction of the fiberoptic bronchoscopy have allowed for more reliable clinical diagnosis. More sensitive blood tests and DNA probes have improved lab diagnosis. Diagnosis of dermatologic blastomycosis may be made by skin scrapings, cultures, or biopsy of the lesion.   

 

Treatment

A new oral antifungal drug called itraconazole has been approved for the treatment of blastomycosis. Another medication, amphotericin B, is also frequently used to treat fungal infections. 

 
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