Blastomycosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Blastomycosis Definitoin

Blastomycosis is generally found, where B. dermatitidis normally inhabits the soil like in North America. A chronic granulomatous and suppurative disease may de caused by the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, and usually spreading to the lungs, bones, and skin. Blastomycosis usually infects men ages in between 30 to 50. Blastomycosis may causes meningitis, cerebral abscesses, pericarditis, and arthritis.

Several infections of the skin or mucous membrane caused by Blastomyces. Blastomycosis is also called as Gilchrist's disease.

Blastomycosis Causes

Blastomycosis is caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is inhaled by people who are in close contact with the soil. The incubation period may range from weeks to months. The disease usually affects people with compromised immune systems, such as people with HIV or organ transplant recipients. Pulmonary disease may be present in over 90% of patients and may present as a pulmonary infiltrate, a hilar mass, a solitary pulmonary nodule, a military infiltrate, or with cavitation or atelectasis, and may become chronic.

The causes of blastomycosis is in between 1 to 2 out of every 100,000 people in the world. Men are more likely to be affected than women. Blastomycosis may affect anyone, but the risk of getting this infection is very low.

Blastomycosis Symptoms

Blastomycosis is like the flu with cough and fever. Initial clinical indicators of pulmonary blastomycosis mimic those of a viral upper rcspiratory infection.

The symptoms of the blastomycosis may include:

• productive cough
• Shortness of breath
• sweating
• fever
• chills
• fatigue
• night sweats
• general discomfort
• uneasiness
• ill-feeling
• weight loss
• joint stiffness
• joint pain
• muscular stiffness
• rash
• skin lesions
• chest pain

Blastomycosis Treatments

Blastomycosis must be treated or it will gradually lead to death.

Treatment involves the use of antifungal agents such as amphotericin B. Amphotericin B (Fungizone) given intravenously is very effective, but it has more toxic side effects.

Disease has spread outside of the lungs, amphotericin B, itraconazole, or other antifungal agents may be prescribed.

Alternative treatment for fungal infections focuses on creating an internal environment where the fungus may not survive. Ketoconazole or fluconazole may be used as a alternative. Patient care is mainly supportive.