Blastomycosis

Definition

Blastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. The fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.

Alternative Names

North American blastomycosis; Gilchrist disease

Causes

You can get blastomycosis by contact with moist soil, most commonly where there is rotting wood and leaves. The fungus enters the body through the lungs, where the infection starts. The fungus can then spread to other parts of the body. The disease may affect the skin, bones and joints, and other areas.

Blastomycosis is rare. It is found in the central and southeastern United States, and in Canada, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Africa.

The key risk factor for the disease is contact with infected soil. It most often affects people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or who have had an organ transplant, but it can also infect healthy people. Men are more likely to be affected than women.

Symptoms

Lung infection may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms may be seen if the infection spreads. Symptoms may include:

Joint pain
Chest pain
Cough (may produce brown or bloody mucus)
Fatigue
Fever
Night sweats
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
Muscle pain
Unintentional weight loss

Most people develop skin symptoms when the infection spreads. You may get papules, pustules, or nodules on exposed body areas.

The pustules:

May look like warts or ulcers
Are usually painless
Vary in color from gray to violet
May appear in the nose and mouth
Bleed easily and form ulcers

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical examination. You'll be asked about your medical history and symptoms.

If the provider suspects you have a fungal infection, diagnosis can be confirmed by these tests:

Chest CT scan
Chest x-ray
Skin biopsy
Sputum culture and examination
Urinary antigen detection
Tissue biopsy and culture
Urine culture

Treatment

You may not need to take medicine for a mild blastomycosis infection that stays in the lungs. The provider may recommend the following antifungal medicines when the disease is severe or spreads outside of the lungs.

Fluconazole
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole

Amphotericin B may be used for severe infections.

Follow up regularly with your provider to make sure the infection does not return.

Outlook (Prognosis)

People with minor skin sores (lesions) and mild lung infections usually recover completely. The infection can lead to death if not treated.

Possible Complications

Complications of blastomycosis may include:

Large sores with pus (abscesses)
Skin sores can lead to scarring and loss of skin color (pigment)
Return of the infection (relapse or disease recurrence)
Side effects from drugs such as amphotericin B

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of blastomycosis.

Prevention

Avoiding travel to areas where the infection is known to occur may help prevent exposure to the fungus, but this may not always be possible.

References

Elewski BE, Hughey LC, Hunt KM, Hay RJ. Fungal diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 77.

Gauthier GM, Klein BS. Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.

Kauffman CA, Galagiani JN, Thompson GR. Endemic mycoses. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 316.