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Where does blastomycosis come from?
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. Blastomyces mainly lives in areas of the United States and Canada surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Great Lakes.
Is Blastomyces dermatitidis common in Africa?
Is Blastomyces dermatitidis common in Africa?
However not common in Africa, strains of Blastomyces dermatitidis have been isolated whose virulence is lower than that found in North America. Blastomyces dermatitidis are dimorphic fungi growing both as molds that produce asexual spores known as conidia or large chlamydospores, and also as yeast at 37°C.
How long does blastomycosis take to show symptoms?
How long does blastomycosis take to show symptoms?
Symptoms of blastomycosis usually appear between 3 weeks and 3 months after a person breathes in the fungal spores.
Is Blastomyces dermatitidis an opportunistic pathogen?
Moreover, recent research has indicated that Blastomyces dermatitidis can cause infection in immunocompromised individuals, therefore, it has been classified as an emerging opportunistic pathogen. Blastomyces dermatitidis naturally live in soil and organic materials such as animal feces, plant fragments, insects remain, and dust.
Can blastomycosis be mistaken for cancer?
Can blastomycosis be mistaken for cancer?
Diagnosis. Pulmonary Blastomycosis may be mistaken for a malignancy such as lung cancer. Examination of the throat with a special instrument (bronchoscopy) may be required to confirm the diagnosis of Blastomycosis. Cutaneous Blastomycosis of the skin may also resemble certain forms of skin cancer.
What are the treatment options for blastomycosis?
What are the treatment options for blastomycosis?
Treatment of blastomycosis depends on severity of the infection. For mild to moderate disease, itraconazole 200 mg po tid for 3 days, followed by 200 mg po once/day or bid for 6 to 12 mo is used. Fluconazole appears less effective, but 400 to 800 mg po once/day may be tried in itraconazole-intolerant patients with mild disease.
What happens if you breathe in blastomycosis?
People can get blastomycosis after breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air. Although most people who breathe in the spores don't get sick, some of those who do may have flu-like symptoms, and the infection can sometimes become serious if it is not treated.
