Blastomycosis
Definition
Blastomycosis is a rare infection that may develop when people breathe in (inhale) a fungus called Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found in wood and soil.
Alternative Names
North American blastomycosis; Gilchrist's diseaseCauses
Blastomycosis occurs in people living in the south-central and midwestern United States and Canada. The infection is seen in 1-2 out of every 100,000 people in areas where the fungus most often occurs. It is even less common outside those areas.
Being around infected soil is the key risk factor.
The disease usually affects people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or who have had an organ transplant. Men are more likely to be affected than women.
Symptoms
Lung infection may produce no symptoms, but when the infection spreads, skin or bone sores (lesions) may appear. The bladder, kidney, prostate, and testes may be affected.
Other symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Cough (may produce brown or bloody mucus)
- Fatigue
- Fever
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
- Joint stiffness and pain
- Muscle stiffness and pain
- Rash
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Unintentional weight loss
Exams and Tests
- Chest x-ray
- Skin biopsy
- Sputum culture and examination under the microscope after applying special stains to sputum
- Tissue biopsy
Treatment
Medicines may not be needed for a blastomycosis infection that stays in the lungs, unless it becomes severe. When the disease is severe, or when it spreads outside of the lungs, the following medicines (anti-fungals) may be prescribed:
- Fluconazole
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
Amphotericin B may be used for severe infections.
Follow-up regularly with your doctor to make sure the infection doesn't return.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Patients with minor skin sores (lesions) and relatively mild lung infections usually recover completely. If the infection is not treated, it can become severe enough to cause death.
Possible Complications
- Large sores with pus (abscesses)
- Return of the infection (relapse or disease recurrence)
- Side effects from drugs such as amphotericin B
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of blastomycosis.
Prevention
Avoiding travel to areas where the infection is known to occur may help prevent exposure to the fungus, but this may not always be possible.
References
Chapman SW. Plastomyces dermatitidis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005: chap 263.
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
