How is blastomycosis diagnosed?

How is blastomycosis diagnosed?

A doctor will likely test for blastomycosis by taking a blood sample or a urine sample and sending it to a laboratory. Healthcare providers may do imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans of your lungs.

What are the preferred sites of blastomycosis?

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue. The skin and subcutaneous tissues are the second most common site involved with blastomycosis, occurring in 40-80% of cases. Two types of skin lesions are generally seen: papulosquamous, eruptive, and verrucous lesions and cutaneous ulcers .

What is the epidemiology of blastomycosis?

Blastomycosis is endemic in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, and near the Great Lakes and southeastern parts of the United States. The annual incidence is less than 1 case per 100,000 people in the commonly affected states of Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Wisconsin.

What disease does sporothrix Schenckii cause?

What is sporotrichosis? Sporotrichosis (also known as “rose gardener’s disease”) is an infection caused by a fungus called Sporothrix. This fungus lives throughout the world in soil and on plant matter such as sphagnum moss, rose bushes, and hay.

How is the diagnosis of blastomycosis confirmed?

The diagnosis of Blastomycosis is confirmed by clinical evaluation that includes chest X-ray studies which may reveal findings that are consistent with fungal pneumonia (i.e., consolidation or cavitation). The direct microscopic examination of infected material (i.e., pus, sputum, or urine) is also performed.

Where is blastomycosis most common in United States?

Blastomycosis affects males and females in equal numbers. The organism that causes this disease (Blastomyces dermatitidis) is most common (endemic) in the south central and southeastern portions of the United States.

How long does it take for chronic blastomycosis to resolve?

The disease may resolve on its own or persist into the chronic form of the infection. Chronic Blastomycosis, which lasts more than three weeks, may affect the lungs, skin, bones, joints, genitourinary tract, and/or central nervous system. Involvement of the skin is very common in individuals with Blastomycosis.

What kind of skin lesions do you get with blastomycosis?

Involvement of the skin is very common in individuals with Blastomycosis. Wart-like (verrucous) and small raised pus-filled (papulopustular) lesions are common. They may be violet colored and have very small abscesses around the borders of the lesions.