Blastomycosis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Blastomycosis?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Blastomycosis On the Web

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Directions to Hospitals Treating Blastomycosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:  Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]

## Overview[edit | edit source]

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.

## What are the symptoms of Blastomycosis?[edit | edit source]

Lung infection may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms may be seen if the infection spreads. Symptoms may include:

* Bone pain
* Chest pain
* Cough (may produce brown or bloody mucus)
* Fatigue
* Fever
* General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
* Joint pain
* Muscle pain
* Night sweats
* Shortness of breath
* Sweating
* Unintentional weight loss

Skin symptoms are most often seen when the infection spreads beyond the lungs. You may have painless sores that look like warts or ulcers. They may:

* Be grey to violet colored
* Bleed easily
* Occur in the nose or mouth

## What causes Blastomycosis?[edit | edit source]

You can get blastomyocosis by breathing in this fungus. It is found in moist soil, most commonly where there is rotting vegetation. The fungus enters the body through the lungs, infecting them. The fungus then spreads (disseminates) to other areas of the body. The infection may affect the skin, bones and joints, and other areas.

Blastomycosis is rare. It is found in the central and southeastern United States, and in Canada, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Africa.

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.

## Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

* Chest CT scan
* Chest x-ray
* Skin biopsy
* Sputum culture and examination
* Tissue biopsy
* Urine culture

## When to seek urgent medical care?[edit | edit source]

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of blastomycosis.

## Treatment options[edit | edit source]

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.

## Where to find medical care for Blastomycosis?[edit | edit source]

Directions to Hospitals Treating Blastomycosis

## Prevention[edit | edit source]

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.

## What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?[edit | edit source]

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. Skin sores may lead to permanent scars.

## Possible complications[edit | edit source]

* Large sores with pus (abscesses)
* Return of the infection (relapse or disease recurrence)
* Side effects from drugs such as amphotericin B

## Sources[edit | edit source]

NIH Encyclopedia Blastomycosis

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