Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is native to the soil of the southeast U.S., Ohio, Mississippi, and the Great Lakes. As an asymptomatic and undetectable condition, it usually manifests as a lung infection caused by inhaling spores.
However, severe, life-threatening consequences such as acute respiratory distress syndrome can arise.
An estimated 25 to 30% of patients develop extrapulmonary disease as a result of hematogenous dissemination from the lungs. Extrapulmonary disease is most frequently found on the skin.
Despite its rarity, primary cutaneous blastomycosis can be caused by direct inoculation following skin damage. In contrast to other deep fungal diseases that mostly affect immunocompromised patients, blastomycosis also affects hosts with a good immunity.
Epidemiology
Blastomycosis is indigenous to southeastern US, the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys, and the Great Lakes region. In the often-impacted states of Kentucky, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Mississippi, the annual incidence is lower than 1 case per 100,000 individuals.
Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, and North Carolina are other commonly affected states. Blastomycosis affects people of all genders, ages, and races. Males are reportedly more susceptible due to work and recreational exposures, and adult men are more likely to get a systemic illness.
Anatomy
Pathophysiology
Conidia are the major infectious particles made by Blastomyces dermatitis, particles which spread into the air once the fungal colony is disturbed. After inhalation, conidia enter the lower respiratory tract. Conidia can be phagocytosed by bronchopulmonary mononuclear cells and destroyed by macrophages and neutrophils, which explains why some individuals have asymptomatic infections.
The thick cell wall of Blastomyces dermatitidis that transforms into yeast can prevent phagocytosis and death, causing symptomatic lung infection. Additionally, glycoprotein BAD-1 — an immune-modulating glycoprotein, improves its binding to macrophages, facilitating its spread through the lymphatics and blood to the rest of the body.
Unique to blastomycosis, the pyogranulomatous inflammatory response is caused by an influx of macrophils, neutrophils and subsequently to formation of granuloma.
Etiology
Blastomcysosis is caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Blastomyces dermatitidis is a member of the phylum Ascomycota and the family Agellomycetaceae and is the asexual state of the thermally dimorphic fungus Ajellomyces dermatitidis.
At 25 degrees Celsius, the mycelial form develops as a white mold, but at 37 degrees Celsius, it develops as a brown and folded yeast. Isolated in the soil, the fungus develops mycelium that penetrates the substratum.
It reproduces asexually by producing 2-10 m in diameter conidia. Blostomycosis dermatitidis appears as big, budding yeast cells, between 8 and 10 micrometers in diameter in infected cells.
Genetics
Prognostic Factors
Immunocompromised individuals who develop this condition face a poor prognosis. In contrast, immunocompetent individuals have a high success rate in response to treatment. 80%-95% of immunocompetent individuals successfully recover from Blastomycosis.
Clinical History
Physical Examination
Age group
Associated comorbidity
Associated activity
Acuity of presentation
Differential Diagnoses
Laboratory Studies
Imaging Studies
Procedures
Histologic Findings
Staging
Treatment Paradigm
by Stage
by Modality
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Surgical Interventions
Hormone Therapy
Immunotherapy
Hyperthermia
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Stem Cell Transplant
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Medication
Future Trends
Media Gallary
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441987/
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Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is native to the soil of the southeast U.S., Ohio, Mississippi, and the Great Lakes. As an asymptomatic and undetectable condition, it usually manifests as a lung infection caused by inhaling spores.
However, severe, life-threatening consequences such as acute respiratory distress syndrome can arise.
An estimated 25 to 30% of patients develop extrapulmonary disease as a result of hematogenous dissemination from the lungs. Extrapulmonary disease is most frequently found on the skin.
Despite its rarity, primary cutaneous blastomycosis can be caused by direct inoculation following skin damage. In contrast to other deep fungal diseases that mostly affect immunocompromised patients, blastomycosis also affects hosts with a good immunity.
Blastomycosis is indigenous to southeastern US, the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys, and the Great Lakes region. In the often-impacted states of Kentucky, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Mississippi, the annual incidence is lower than 1 case per 100,000 individuals.
Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, and North Carolina are other commonly affected states. Blastomycosis affects people of all genders, ages, and races. Males are reportedly more susceptible due to work and recreational exposures, and adult men are more likely to get a systemic illness.
Conidia are the major infectious particles made by Blastomyces dermatitis, particles which spread into the air once the fungal colony is disturbed. After inhalation, conidia enter the lower respiratory tract. Conidia can be phagocytosed by bronchopulmonary mononuclear cells and destroyed by macrophages and neutrophils, which explains why some individuals have asymptomatic infections.
The thick cell wall of Blastomyces dermatitidis that transforms into yeast can prevent phagocytosis and death, causing symptomatic lung infection. Additionally, glycoprotein BAD-1 — an immune-modulating glycoprotein, improves its binding to macrophages, facilitating its spread through the lymphatics and blood to the rest of the body.
Unique to blastomycosis, the pyogranulomatous inflammatory response is caused by an influx of macrophils, neutrophils and subsequently to formation of granuloma.
Blastomcysosis is caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Blastomyces dermatitidis is a member of the phylum Ascomycota and the family Agellomycetaceae and is the asexual state of the thermally dimorphic fungus Ajellomyces dermatitidis.
At 25 degrees Celsius, the mycelial form develops as a white mold, but at 37 degrees Celsius, it develops as a brown and folded yeast. Isolated in the soil, the fungus develops mycelium that penetrates the substratum.
It reproduces asexually by producing 2-10 m in diameter conidia. Blostomycosis dermatitidis appears as big, budding yeast cells, between 8 and 10 micrometers in diameter in infected cells.
Immunocompromised individuals who develop this condition face a poor prognosis. In contrast, immunocompetent individuals have a high success rate in response to treatment. 80%-95% of immunocompetent individuals successfully recover from Blastomycosis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441987/
medtigo
Blastomycosis
Updated :
July 15, 2022
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is native to the soil of the southeast U.S., Ohio, Mississippi, and the Great Lakes. As an asymptomatic and undetectable condition, it usually manifests as a lung infection caused by inhaling spores.
However, severe, life-threatening consequences such as acute respiratory distress syndrome can arise.
An estimated 25 to 30% of patients develop extrapulmonary disease as a result of hematogenous dissemination from the lungs. Extrapulmonary disease is most frequently found on the skin.
Despite its rarity, primary cutaneous blastomycosis can be caused by direct inoculation following skin damage. In contrast to other deep fungal diseases that mostly affect immunocompromised patients, blastomycosis also affects hosts with a good immunity.
Blastomycosis is indigenous to southeastern US, the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys, and the Great Lakes region. In the often-impacted states of Kentucky, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Mississippi, the annual incidence is lower than 1 case per 100,000 individuals.
Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, and North Carolina are other commonly affected states. Blastomycosis affects people of all genders, ages, and races. Males are reportedly more susceptible due to work and recreational exposures, and adult men are more likely to get a systemic illness.
Conidia are the major infectious particles made by Blastomyces dermatitis, particles which spread into the air once the fungal colony is disturbed. After inhalation, conidia enter the lower respiratory tract. Conidia can be phagocytosed by bronchopulmonary mononuclear cells and destroyed by macrophages and neutrophils, which explains why some individuals have asymptomatic infections.
The thick cell wall of Blastomyces dermatitidis that transforms into yeast can prevent phagocytosis and death, causing symptomatic lung infection. Additionally, glycoprotein BAD-1 — an immune-modulating glycoprotein, improves its binding to macrophages, facilitating its spread through the lymphatics and blood to the rest of the body.
Unique to blastomycosis, the pyogranulomatous inflammatory response is caused by an influx of macrophils, neutrophils and subsequently to formation of granuloma.
Blastomcysosis is caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Blastomyces dermatitidis is a member of the phylum Ascomycota and the family Agellomycetaceae and is the asexual state of the thermally dimorphic fungus Ajellomyces dermatitidis.
At 25 degrees Celsius, the mycelial form develops as a white mold, but at 37 degrees Celsius, it develops as a brown and folded yeast. Isolated in the soil, the fungus develops mycelium that penetrates the substratum.
It reproduces asexually by producing 2-10 m in diameter conidia. Blostomycosis dermatitidis appears as big, budding yeast cells, between 8 and 10 micrometers in diameter in infected cells.
Immunocompromised individuals who develop this condition face a poor prognosis. In contrast, immunocompetent individuals have a high success rate in response to treatment. 80%-95% of immunocompetent individuals successfully recover from Blastomycosis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441987/
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