How is Blastomycosis Trasmitted?

Blastomycosis transmission involves inhalation of mold conidia -blastomyces dermatitidis spores.

Blastomyces dermatitidis spores grow in warm and humid soil that is enriched with decomposing organic matter.

The spores are usually made airborne when such contaminated soil is disturbed.

Who is at higher risk of developing Blastomycosis?

High risk group includes individuals (as well as their pets/animals) exposed to wooded sites (moist soil containing decomposing organic debris) in regions with endemic disease. This includes campers, farmers, forestry workers, outdoorsmen, hikers, bikers, and hunters -as well as their pets (especially dogs) and various animals native to such regions. Blastomycosis disease is endemic to the South-central United States, South-eastern United States, Mid-western United States, Middle Atlantic states, upstate New York, and southern Canada. It is also prevalent in parts of Central America, South America, and Africa.

Signs and Symptoms of Blastomycosis:

Considering that most Blastomycosis infections have an insidious onset, as well as the fact that Blastomycosis symptoms are usually nonspecific, it is not uncommon for Blastomycosis patients to remain asymptomatic. Symptoms of symptomatic Blastomycosis infection may include: arthralgia, chills, drenching sweats, dry hacking cough, dyspnea, flu-like fever, myalgia, pleuritic chest pain, and productive cough.

Blastomycosis Diagnosis:

Acute blastomycosis (self-limited blastomycosis) is rarely recognized clinically. Sputum culture is almost always a definitive indicator of blastomycosis. Except for the cross-reactive positive assays for H. capsulatum antigen, no other serologic assays or skin tests are considered to be significantly useful for the diagnosis of Blastomycosis.

Blastomycosis Treatment/Remedies:

Blastomycosis patients are often prescribed Itraconazole (orally) and/or treated with Fluconazole. Patients diagnosed with a severe case of blastomyces dermatitidis infection often benefit from Amphotericin B therapy treatment -usually administered intravenously.

Blastomycosis Prognosis/Expectations:

Even though pulmonary blastomycosis infections usually occur as individual cases of progressive (Blastomyces dermatitidis) infections, they may result in granuloma formation, fibrosis, and/or necrosis. If untreated, blastomycosis could develop into a serious and potentially life-threatening chronic pulmonary infection (pulmonary blastomycosis) or a widespread disseminated infection (extrapulmonary disseminated blastomycosis) not only of the respiratory system, but also the focal infection of the bone marrow, brain, epididymis, kidneys, lymph nodes, nasal mucosa, prostate, skin, subcutaneous tissues, testis, thyroid, and/or vertebrae. In some cases, the Blastomyces dermatitidis infection invades/spreads-to the meninges as well. It is also not uncommon for some patients to develop additional complications including Pleural effusion, and/or rapidly progressive infections such as Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS.)

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Blastomycosis News and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Blastomycosis related Articles.

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