Blastomycosis

Introduction

• Chronic infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis.

B. dermatitis

• Dimorphic fungus
• Grows at room temperature as a white or tan mould
• Grow within host or at 37°C as budding
• Round yeast like cells.

Epidemiology

• Infection is largely confined to the North American continent
• “North American blastomycosis”.

Mode of transmission

• Inhalation of fungus.

Characterized by

• Formation of suppurative and granulontatous lesion in any part of the body

• Marked predilection for the lung and skin.

Clinical manifestations:

• Self limited pneumonia
• Skin lesions
• Mucous membrane and laryngeal lesions 
• Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia striking
• May lead to a mistaken diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma.

ARDS

• Osteolytic bone lesions
• Prostatitis
• Epididymitis

Note

• South American Blastomycosis is caused by:
•  Paracoccidioidiosis brasilliensis.
• European blastomycosis is caused by:
• Cryptococcus.