3. Blastomycosis
• Blastomycosis is an infection caused by a
fungus called Blastomyces.
• The fungus lives in the environment,
particularly in moist soil and in
decomposing matter such as wood and
leaves.
• People can get blastomycosis after
breathing in the microscopic fungal spores
from the air.
4. Epidemiology
Less commonly, blastomycosis has also occurred in central and
south America , Africa and the middle east.
Relative common infection of dogs.
Cannot transmitted by animals or humans.
Rarely isolated from environment so its natural habitat is unknown.
Several small outbreaks linked B dermatidis to rural river banks.
5. Transmission
• It grows on moist
soil in organic
material, forming
hyphae with small
pear-shaped
conidia.
• Inhalation of the
conidia causes
human infection.
6. Pathogenesis and clinical findings
• Infection occurs mainly via the respiratory tract.
• Asymptomatic or mild cases are rarely recognized.
• Dissemination may result in ulcerated granulomas of skin, bone or other
sites.
7. Symptoms
• The symptoms of blastomycosis are often similar to the
symptoms of flu or other lung infections, and can include;
• Fever, cough, night sweats, muscle aches or joint pain, weight
loss, chest pain and fatigue.
• Symptoms of blastomycosis usually appear between 3 weeks
and 3 months after a person breathes in the fungal spores.
• In some people who have weakened immune systems,
blastomycosis can spread from the lungs to other parts of the
body, such as skin,bones,joints and the central nervous system.
Fever is a common
symptom
of blastomycosis.
8. Treatment
• Most people with blastomycosis will need
treatment with prescription antifungal medication.
• Itraconazole is a drug of choice for most patients.
• Amphotericin B is usually recommended for
severe blastomycosis in the lungs.
• Surgical excision may be helpful.
• Depending on the severity of the infection and the
person’s immune status, the course of treatment can
range from six months to one year.
Most people will need antifungal
treatment for blastomycosis.
9. Prevention
• There is no vaccine to prevent blastomycosis.
• It may not be possible to completely avoid being
exposed to the fungus that causes blastomycosis
in areas where it is common in the environment.
• People who have weakened immune systems
may want to consider avoiding activities that
involve disrupting soil in these areas.
