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
- Microscopy:
- Sputum
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
- Lung tissue biopsy
- Via KOH mount, GMS (Gomori methenamine silver) stain, PAS stain
- Fungal culture
- Sputum
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
- Lung tissue biopsy
- Performed on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA)
- Antigen Detection Tests
- PCR / Molecular Tests
- Histopathology
- Chest CT/X-ray
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).
- Medical News Today
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- Medscape (Professional level)
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- Healthline
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- EveryDay Health
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- Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)
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- NHS
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- WebMD
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- Cleveland Clinic
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- Mayo Clinic
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- Drugs.com
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- National Organisation of Rare Diseases
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- Verywell Health
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- Nathnac
Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.
- DR Axe
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- Better health - NHS
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