Blastomycosis

Question 1

What’s the most common causative organism for blastomycosis?

Answer 1

Blastomyces dermatitidis

Question 2

What’s the geographical distribution of blastomycosis?

Answer 2

• Southern and southeastern US
• Canada
• Africa
• India

Question 3

What are clinical clues to blastomycosis infection?

Answer 3

Blastomycosis
* 50% are asymptomatic
* Usually start 3 weeks to 3 months after exposure
* Acute pulmonary blastomycosis is the most common form of blastomycosis and can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
* Some symptomatic cases will develop extrapulmonary infection, which typically manifests as cutaneous, osteoarticular, genitourinary, or central nervous system disease

Question 4

How is blastomycosis diagnosed?

Answer 4

Blastomycosis
* Antigen detection
* Culture
* Microscopy

Question 5

What is the treatment for blastomycosis?

Answer 5

Severe disease
* Amphotericin B

Mild-moderate disease
* Itraconazole

Question 6

How is blastomycosis infection acquired?

Answer 6

Inhalation