Blastomycosis (Gilchrist's Disease) - Medtick
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Blastomycosis (Gilchrist’s Disease)

What is it?

A rare infection that may develop when people breathe in (inhale) a fungus found in moist soil, particularly where there is rotting vegetation.

  • The fungus enters the body through the lungs, infecting them and spreads. Being around infected soil is the key risk factor.
  • The disease usually affects people with  a weak immune system.
  • Men are more likely to be affected than women.

It is most common in world areas of:

  • Central and South Eastern United States
  • Middle and Southern Africa
  • Pakistan
  • Nepal
  • Philippines
  • West China
  • Malaysia
  • Western Australia

Diagnosis test

Blastomycosis antigen tests have extensive cross-reactivity with Histoplasmosis tests.

  • Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) urine antigen test for Blastomyces species (result normally positive)

If result is negative then consider:

  • Sputum or BAL culture and microscopy
  • Performing a skin biopsy (if lesion[s] exists) for microscopy
  • Ordering serologic antibody tests; however, antibody tests are reported to have low sensitivity, though may be useful when an antigen test is negative or when trying to differentiate blastomycosis from histoplasmosis
  • Evaluating disease manifestations in bone, genitourinary tract, and central nervous system
  • Obtaining infectious disease or pulmonology consultation

Medscape

Cause

  • Fungus: Blastomyces dermatitidis
  • Inhaling infected soils

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72hours?
  • Initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Wart-like (verrucous) and small raised pus-filled (papulopustular) lesions-violet coloured and have very small abscesses around the borders of the lesions?

Male:

  • Inflammation, swelling, and/or pain in the groin?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

  • Mycotic Endophthalmitis
    • Blurred vision/decreased vision
    • Oedema (watery swelling) of the eyelid
    • Eye pain
    • Appearance of the eye may hazy
    • Infection to the eye (sticky or watery discharge)

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Blastomycosis (Gilchrist’s Disease) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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